Scholarships & Financial Aid

GHS is fortunate to have many community partners offering scholarships exclusively to our seniors. Because eligibility requirements and award amounts vary, we encourage you to explore every opportunity. These local awards are often less competitive than national scholarships, making them a fantastic resource for our students.

Please submit most applications and supporting documents to Ms. Hughes in the Counseling Center; she will collect and deliver them to the respective organizations. Review each application carefully for specific rules. The final deadline to submit materials to Ms. Hughes is March 20th, though early submissions are welcome.

Note that some organizations may conduct interviews, typically held at GHS during the week of April 13th. Scholarship recipients and their families will be invited to a celebration ceremony on the evening of May 14th.

McKee Family Foundation Scholarship

Number of scholarships and award amounts vary (totaling $19,000)
The McKee Family is looking for their next group of awardees. Students with financial need for tuition and related expenses are eligible to apply and awards will be determined based on this criteria, as well as academic factors and applicant interviews. Access the application and document requirements here.

Noah Ewers Memorial Scholarship

Number of scholarships and award amounts vary

This scholarship, named in memoriam of former student Noah Ewers, is dedicated to students whose hearts are open to helping others and being helped in return. The quantity of scholarships and amount of aid will be determined by the applications received. Access the application and document requirements here.

Western Art Gallery Scholarship - $1,500
Western Art Gallery is a Golden, CO gallery that helps emerging artists through representation, sponsorships, and scholarships. Students intended to pursue post-secondary education with a focus on art are eligible to apply. Access the application here.

ASD Western Art Gallery Scholarship - $1,000
Western Art Gallery is offering this scholarship for a graduating senior with autism who intends to pursue post-secondary education. 

Access the application here.

Roger B. Colton Earth Sciences Scholarship - $1,000
This scholarship, named for WWII veteran and career Geologist with the US Geological Survey, will award $1,000 to a graduating senior wishing to pursue an education in Earth Sciences or related studies. Access the application here.

Kiwanis Club Galbraith-Gould Scholarship and Criley-Schmidt Book Award - $8,000 (over four years) 

Students who have been accepted to the Colorado School of Mines (and plan to attend) are encouraged to apply for this annual scholarship which provides a total of $8,000 over four years. Access the application here.

Golden City Masonic Lodge Annual Scholarship - $1,000
Students with scholarly achievement, extracurricular activities and evidence of community service who have been accepted for enrollment at any Colorado college or university are eligible for this award. Access the application here.

Application coming soon!

Material Handling Education Foundation Scholarship
$6,000 (61 awards)
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Designated for students planning to study Engineering, Computer Science, Business, or an Imaging related field at a non-profit college or university. Students must maintain a “B” grade point average or higher in their major.

Society of Manufacturing Engineers Scholarship
$20,000 (60 awards)
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Students pursuing an associate, bachelors or graduate degree in technical fields that directly support manufacturing and have a minimum 2.0 gpa may apply.

John and Tamara Lundgren Scholars Program
$8,000 (20 awards)
Deadline: February 6, 2026
Are you interested in golf management for your future career? Then check out this PGA of America scholarship.

Davidson Fellows Scholarship
Up to $100,000 (20 awards)
Deadline: February 11, 2026
Awarded to students who have completed a significant piece of work.

DEWALT Trades Scholarship
$5,000 (40 awards)
Deadline: February 28, 2026
DEWALT is committed to empowering the next generation of skilled tradespeople and we want to help kick off your career in the trades with the DEWALT Trades Scholarship. Students pursuing educational training related to construction, industrial, motor, and mechanics should apply.

National Italian American Foundation Scholarship
$12,000 (200 awards)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Students who have at least one ancestor who has immigrated from Italy and have a GPA of at least 2.5 may apply. There must also be an active NIAF membership within the family.

American Welding Society National Scholarship
$10,000 (130 awards)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Students pursuing a bachelor’s or associate degree in welding or a related discipline and have a demonstrated financial need should apply to this scholarship.

AFA Teens Awareness College Scholarship
$5,000 (20 awards)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Has Alzheimer’s disease changed or impacted your life? Do you desire to raise awareness in regards to Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? Apply for this scholarship.

Children of Warriors National Scholarship
$5,000 (15 awards)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
If you are a descendant of a veteran who served in the Armed Forces, have good academics at school and participate in volunteer activities outside of the school, you are encouraged to apply.

USPAACC Scholarship
$5,000 (10 awards)
Deadline: March 2, 2026
Students with Asian Pacific Island heritage are eligible to apply.

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship
Up to $25,000 (600+ awards)
Deadline: February 15, 2026
For students with a demonstrated financial need ($100,000 or lower household income) and who are involved in co-curricular and community service activities.

Dennison Elementary PTA Scholarship
$1,000 (2 awards)
Deadline: April 1, 2026
All Dennison Elementary alumni with a 3.0 gpa or higher: your elementary school wants to honor you with a scholarship! 

Denver Foundation Scholarships
$1,000 - $10,000 (more than 20 different opportunities)
Deadline: February 27, 2026
With more than 20 competitive scholarship opportunities available through our Universal Application, students submit one application to be considered for multiple awards. High school, college (undergraduate & graduate), trade/tech, and nontraditional students are eligible for our opportunities. Some scholarships may require their own separate application and follow different timelines

P.E.O. Chapter GZ Scholarship
$2,500 (1 award)
Deadline: April 6, 2026
P.E.O. Chapter GZ ScholarshipChapter GZ is pleased to offer the P.E.O. Chapter GZ Scholarship to a Colorado woman in her senior year of high school. The scholarship of $2,500 is for the 2026-2027 college academic year only.

Student Insights Colorado Senior and Student-View Scholarships
$10,000 (1 award), $1,000 (2 awards) and $500 (3 awards)
Deadline: April 23, 2026
The application process is simple with no minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score, no essay and no application fee required. Simply visit the website and complete an application survey about colleges in your area. The scholarship will be awarded via a random drawing of all completed applications.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Rocky Mountain Scholarship
Awards vary from $500 - $2,500
Deadline: February 13, 2026
Scholarships are available to students pursuing a Certificate of Completion or a post-secondary education leading to a bachelor’s degree in a construction-related field.

Breaking New Ground Scholarship (for first generation college students)
$1,500 (1 award)
Deadline: February 18, 2026
Kisner Law’s biannual Breaking New Ground Scholarship awards $1,500 each semester to a first-generation college student who exemplifies academic excellence, demonstrates a strong work ethic, and shares a passion for business, transportation, or liberal arts and sciences. Students who are first-generation and have maintained a job while in high school are eligible to apply.

Science Without Borders Scholarship
$500 (3 awards)
Deadline: March 2, 2026
The theme for the 2026 Science without Borders® Challenge is “Microscopic Marine Life.” Microscopic marine organisms may be tiny, but they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our ocean and, by extension, the planet. To apply for this year’s contest, students should submit artwork that highlights the positive impact of microscopic marine organisms. Artwork should show how these organisms contribute to ocean ecosystems, support marine life, or impact the health of the planet.

The Denver Foundation Scholarships
Awards vary from $1,000 - $10,000
Deadline: February 27, 2026

With more than 20 competitive scholarship opportunities available through our Universal Application, students submit one application to be considered for multiple awards. High school, college (undergraduate & graduate), trade/tech, and nontraditional students are eligible for our opportunities.

Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship
$5,000 (20 awards)
Deadline: January 30, 2026
Students who have a relative employed in the roofing industry should check out this scholarship if they are also planning to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study directly related to a career in the roofing industry at an accredited vocational or technical trade school for an entire academic year.

Wings Over America Scholarship
$5,000 (50 awards)
Deadline: February 1, 2026
Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation annually sponsors a minimum of 50 scholarships to further the postsecondary education of Navy dependents from the aviation community. Scholarships are $5,000 and some are renewable. Recipients are selected on the basis of scholastic merit, community service, extra-curricular activities and character.

Sons of Italy Western Foundation Scholarship
$5,000 (3 awards)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Applicants must be wholly or partially of Italian descent. Scholarships are available in the following categories:
- Academic Awards for graduating high school seniors
- Italian Language Study Grants in Italy for graduating high school seniors for the summer of 2026
- Career Education for graduating high school seniors pursuing a career in a skilled field

Scholarship for Journalism Diversity
$20,000 (1 award)
Deadline: March 1, 2026
Students intending to become a journalist and have a 3.0 gpa or higher are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Shell Oil Company Technical Scholarship
$2,500 (20 awards)
Deadline: March 15, 2026
For students planning to enroll full-time in one of the following majors: geology, geophysics, physics, chemical, civil, electrical, geological, geophysical, mechanical or petroleum engineering.

Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship
$3,000 (12 awards)
Deadline: March 15, 2026
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) seeks to improve the treatment of animals everywhere—in the laboratory, on the farm, in commerce, at home, and in the wild. High school seniors in the United States are eligible to apply for this scholarship if they (1) have demonstrated a commitment to animal welfare through volunteer work and/or advocacy and (2) intend to pursue a career that will seek to reduce animal suffering and protect vulnerable species.

Mas Family Scholarship
$32,000 (15 awards)
Deadline: January 31, 2026
The Mas Family Scholarships program is dedicated to celebrating Cuban heritage and empowering future generations of Cuban Americans.  Our mission is to recognize and reward outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and a strong commitment to community service.  We are passionate about supporting talented individuals who embody the spirit of our Cuban community.

Stacey Scholarship Fund
$5,000 (1 award)
Deadline: February 1, 2026
A scholarship for students interested in studying painting and drawing. Applicants are asked to outline their ambitions and plans as well as to submit examples of their paintings/drawings for judging.

SPIE Optics and Photonics Education Scholarship
$11,000 (72 awards)
Deadline: February 15, 2026
SPIE scholarships are available to SPIE Student Members located anywhere in the world, in high school (pre-university/secondary), community and technical colleges, as well as undergraduate and graduate university programs, who are studying in a field related to optics and photonics.

Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarships
$10,000 (1 award) and $5,000 (6 awards)
Deadline: February 20, 2026
The Vegetarian Resource Group each year will award $50,000 in college scholarship money to graduating U.S. high school students who have promoted veganism in their schools and/or communities. Applicants will be judged on having shown compassion, courage, and a strong commitment to promoting a peaceful world through a vegan diet/lifestyle.

Military Benefits Association Scholarship
$30,000 (3 awards)
Deadline: March 4, 2026
The Military Benefit Association has established a scholarship program to assist members’ dependent children and spouses, along with National Guardsmen, Reservists and Veterans who are members and who plan to continue education full-time in college or vocational school programs. 

Special Forces Scholarship
$2,000 (200 awards)
Deadline: March 15, 2026
United States Army Special Forces  the Green Berets constitute our nation’s largest special operations force. Green Berets have been at the forefront of combat operations across the globe for decades. The families of these Green Berets have borne a heavy burden. They, too, serve this nation while their soldiers are deployed repeatedly into harm’s way. The Special Forces Scholarship Fund (SFSF) recognizes the service of Green Beret families by awarding them merit-based post-secondary educational scholarships. 

SDFM National Scholarship Program
$3,000 (9 awards)
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Applicants must be entering a field of study directly related to financial/resource management (such as business administration, economics, accounting, finance). Application from high school applicants must have an SDFM chapter endorsement letter. Chapter presidents may submit up to three applications each award year.

Houzz Residential Design Scholarship
$2,500 (1 award)
Deadline: March 31, 2026
The Houzz Scholarship Program, launched in 2016, supports the next generation of students studying architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, construction management, or skilled trades.

Scholarships for Military Children
$2,000 (500 awards)
Deadline: February 11, 2026
The Scholarships for Military Children Program was created to recognize military families' contributions to the fighting force's readiness and to celebrate the commissary's role in the military family community. The Scholarships for Military Children program is open to unmarried military dependent children under the age 23 who possess a valid Uniformed Services Identification (USID) card. In addition, a student's parent(s)/sponsor(s) must be one of the following: active duty, reserve/guard, deceased, or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, or Space Force.

American Public Service Scholarship
$2,000 (2 awards)
Deadline: January 31, 2026
This scholarship aims to incentivize students to enter public service careers and make the difference that is needed. This award will be granted to two students who best exemplify what it means to be a public servant and answer the essay prompt to demonstrate their commitment to helping others. Be sure to outline your career aspirations, motivations, and how you will contribute as a public servant.

The Elks National Foundation Scholarships

Legacy Awards: The ENF provides $4,000 for children and grandchildren of dues-paying Elk members. The ENF offers a total of 350 national awards. Application deadline: February 2, 2026.