Lillis Scholars Program

The Lillis Scholars Program focuses on identifying promising high school students in Colorado with the help of their teachers, counselors and school administrative personnel. These scholarships, currently about ten per year, are awarded on the basis of an applicant's ability to succeed, which may or may not be reflected in superior grade point averages or excellent test scores. In order to identify students who may have had to overcome unusual circumstances, or whose standard academic records do not accurately reflect their abilities and potential, we rely on teachers, counselors and academic mentors to recommend students for the Lillis Scholars Program. These recommendations should clearly address strength of character, academic promise, leadership potential, the potential to contribute to one's community, and a well-rounded personality. Upon review by members of the Board of Trustees of The Lillis Foundation, students may be invited to meet with members of the Board and to submit a full application to the Lillis Scholars program.

The Lillis Scholars Program is intended to provide scholarship assistance to deserving students who are at risk of not being able to afford a college education. Lillis Scholars scholarships are not full-ride scholarships. They are a contribution toward the unmet financial need of the student's cost of attendance at college. The Lillis Foundation works in partnership with the students, their families, higher education institutions, and state, federal, and private financial aid resources to help financially support students to obtain a four-year undergraduate degree. The scholarship amount is determined after all other financial aid sources and the Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) are applied. Although scholars are not required to accept subsidized loans, we do count them as a financial resource available to them. Scholarship amounts may be different for each student and can change from year to year. Scholarship awards may be used for any required college expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous educational expenses.

All Lillis Scholars are encouraged to obtain the highest quality education they can. Scholars may pursue any course of study and may use their award at any accredited institution of higher education, public or private, within the U.S. Upon evidence of satisfactory progress, scholarships are renewable for three additional years.

At the time of application, students must be legal U.S. citizens, be residents of Colorado, and have taken the ACT or SAT exam.