Jim and Jean Hertzel Scientific Mind Award Scholarship (UA)

The Jim and Jean Hertzel Scientific Mind Award Scholarship supports STEM-focused graduating high school seniors in Colorado in pursuing college or trade/tech school education. The scholarship is designed for students who demonstrate not only academic excellence and strong aptitude in Science, Mathematics, Technology, or Engineering, but also 'grit' - passion and perseverance for long-term goals, resilience, conscientiousness, and a commitment to growth despite setbacks and failures. Applicants must be Colorado high school seniors with a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher who are pursuing a STEM-focused degree or certification. Applications are reviewed based on academic performance, scholastic potential, commitment to the field and passion for the work, resilience and persistence, and strong aptitude for STEM disciplines. The scholarship provides awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 and is renewable for up to four additional years while pursuing an undergraduate degree, provided the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements each year. Award amounts may be used towards tuition, fees, room, and board, and are paid directly to the recipient's post-secondary institution. Applicants must submit a universal application through The Denver Foundation's Scholarship Manager system, which includes a list of extracurricular activities, community volunteering, and work experiences; transcripts; and two essay responses (approximately 800 words each) addressing their field of study and interest, as well as personal reflections on resilience and its influence on career goals.