WES Scholarships
The Woman’s Educational Society (WES) is a nonprofit organization that funds scholarships and grants to eligible Colorado College students, regardless of sex or gender, and has offered educational programs to scholars, members, and the community for over 100 years.
WES History
WES began when Mary Slocum, wife of the College’s president at the time, established the society in April 1889. More than 100 women attended WES's first meeting, held in Cutler Hall. Thirty-seven of the attendees formally established the society, setting the goal of giving “physical, intellectual, and spiritual aid to students in any department of the college.” In recognition of her important legacy, Mary Slocum was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2022.
WES has provided scholarships to Colorado College students since its founding—a focus that continues today.
The WES Scholarship
Each year, two to five first-year students are awarded the WES Scholarship. The scholarship continues for four years as long as the student maintainssatisfactory progress at CC. In honor of the 37 women who established WES in 1889, the scholarship covers up to 37% of tuition for those whose tuition is not fully covered by Colorado College’s own need-based aid. For those whose tuition is fully covered by Colorado College’s need-based aid, the scholarship is a $5,000 annual award. Students who qualify may also receive need-based aid to cover housing, the meal plan, and the student activity fee.
How to Apply
- If you haven’t already, submit your full application for admission through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Apply Coalition with Scoir.
- Submit the WES Scholarship application by the deadline of Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027. To access the WES Scholarship application, you will need your CC applicant portal credentials, which are sent to you when you submit your admission application. To be complete, your application must include a 500-700 word essay responding to the following prompt:
“Please draw on your own experiences and involvements to articulate how you might contribute to furthering Mary G. Slocum’s vision for gender equity, as expressed by WES’s Timeless Values, during your Colorado College experience.”
The WES application will be open from Dec. 11-Jan. 17, 2027.
WES Scholarship winners will be notified in March 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Talented and passionate students of any gender identity whose values align with the Woman’s Educational Society are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be United States citizens to be considered. Read more about WES’s Timeless Values to see if you would be a good fit.
Students eligible for need-based aid are encouraged to apply.
Application opens: Friday, Dec. 11
Application deadline: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027
Winners notified: March 2027
WES Scholarships are awarded based on an assessment of factors including:
- a candidate’s commitment to equity issues
- a candidate’s commitment to one or more of WES’s Timeless Values
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. As part of their application, applicants to the WES Scholarship will provide permission for the WES Board to review their admission application to Colorado College.
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