El Pomar Scholarships
As El Pomar Scholars, students work with the Collaborative for Community Engagement to participate in civic action, learning, and reflection. Scholars integrate classroom academic learning with immersive community engagement experiences throughout their time at CC. As a cohort, students regularly participate in educational programming that supports skill-building in the nonprofit and public sectors. They also deepen their knowledge of the social and environmental issues facing Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region, and join a supportive community of peers through team-building and community-formation activities.
The scholarship continues for four years as long as students maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree at Colorado College.
How to Apply
1. Submit the El Pomar Interest Form. In it, you will include the name and contact information of someone who can submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Your recommender should be familiar with your interest in public policy, nonprofit work, or community service, and your commitment to serving the people of Colorado. Their letter should specifically address your potential as an El Pomar Scholar. Please complete the form well in advance of the El Pomar application deadline to give your recommender plenty of time to submit their letter. Your recommender will receive an email with directions once you submit this form. Please check the spelling of your recommender’s email address carefully before submitting.
2. If you haven’t already, submit your full application for admission through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Apply Coalition with Scoir. Our ED1/EA deadline is Sunday, Nov. 1, and our ED2/RA deadline is Friday, Jan. 15, 2027. If applying during our ED2/RA round, and if you’re interested in the El Pomar scholarship, we highly recommend submitting your ED2/RA application before the admission deadline of Friday, Jan. 15, 2027. We use information from your entire CC application (transcripts, activities, etc.) to evaluate your scholarship application.
3. Once you’ve completed steps one and two, watch your applicant portal for the application link—it goes live Friday, Dec. 11, and we’ll also send an email reminder when it opens. Submit it by the scholarship deadline on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027. To be complete, your application must include the following:
- Your resume
- A 600- to 800-word essay describing your community service experience or your interest in public policy, along with your commitment to serving the people of Colorado. Consider how Colorado College might further your pursuits in these areas.
- Two short-answer responses:
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In 300 words or fewer, please describe which communities you belong to, and how they integrate to shape your identity. How might your background or identity contribute to building a diverse and inclusive Colorado College community?
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In 300 words or fewer, reflect on your community engagement experiences, as well as learning experiences you have had related to your community work. When do you believe it is important to speak, and when is it important to listen?
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- One letter of recommendation from someone who can address your potential as an El Pomar Scholar.
The El Pomar application will be open from Dec. 11, 2026-Jan. 17, 2027.
El Pomar Scholarship finalists will be notified in mid-February 2027 and will be contacted to schedule a virtual interview with the El Pomar Selection Committee. Winners will be notified in mid-March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only Colorado residents who are eligible for need-based financial aid at Colorado College will be considered. Applicants should either be interested in pursuing a career in public policy or the nonprofit sector, or have demonstrated significant and impactful community service throughout high school. Additionally, applicants should plan to engage in service within the Colorado Springs community while attending Colorado College. The El Pomar Selection Committee may also consider students who are strong candidates based on their general application for admission to the college.
El Pomar Interest Form: available for submission now
Application opens: Friday, Dec. 11
Application deadline: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027
Finalists invited to virtual interviews: mid-February 2027
Winners notified: mid-March 2027
The El Pomar Selection committee considers an applicant’s leadership potential, commitment to the well-being of the people of Colorado, and their engagement in community service and/or public policy activities. Students with high financial need and students from underrepresented backgrounds will be given additional consideration in the selection process. A candidate’s application to Colorado College, transcripts, and test scores (if applicable, please review our test-optional policy) will also be included in the scholarship review process. Students selected as El Pomar Scholarship finalists will interview virtually with the El Pomar Selection Committee.
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