Undergraduate Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
APPLY FOR NAROPA SCHOLARSHIPS
- Naropa Scholarship Applications open each October for the upcoming year and are typically open until April of the next year.
- Other scholarships such as SWP, Lenz, and others may run on an alternative timeline. Please be sure to check dates for each scholarship you are interested in.
- New students receive their username and password via email after submitting their Admissions Application.
- Students must be logged in to access the application (using MyNaropa credentials).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000/academic year
- Receiving more than one institutional scholarship could affect your eligibility for, or the amounts of other forms of aid, including scholarship awards
Academic Scholarships
Academic scholarships are awarded to new, entering undergraduate students who will be enrolled full-time. Awards are based on a student’s cumulative GPA. No additional materials are required in order to be considered, however, the financial aid application (FAFSA or International Financial Aid Application) is required.
Academic scholarships offered are as follows:
- Academic Excellence-
- GPA of 3.5+ awards $10,000 per full academic year per student
- Academic Honors-
- GPA of 3.0–3.49 awards $7,500 per full academic year per student
- Academic Achievement-
- GPA of 2.75–2.99 awards $5,000 per full academic year per student
The scholarship will renew each academic year, as long as a student:
- Continues to be enrolled full-time
- Remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward a degree
- Maintains academic eligibility (cumulative 3.0 GPA).
- Completes a new aid application (FAFSA or International Student Aid application) each year
If you received a GED, have a narrative transcript, or a home-school transcript, please contact the Office of Admissions to determine your eligibility.
Transfer Scholarship
$5,000 per full academic year
To qualify you must have completed 12 or more semester credits post high school and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and have a completed aid application on file.
You may be eligible for a higher value academic scholarship dependent on GPA. The transfer scholarship cannot be combined with other academic scholarships.
The scholarship will renew each academic year, as long as a student:
- Continues to be enrolled in full-time (valid for up to seven semesters of study)
- Remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward a degree
- Completes a new aid application (FAFSA or International Student Aid application) each year
SCHOLARSHIPS REQUIRING APPLICATIONS
Students who meet the above listed scholarship requirements must submit a separate application and/or written materials to be considered for the following scholarships. Required materials will be detailed in the scholarship description of each award.
You must have received your Naropa log in credentials; email and password, prior to accessing the application.
This may mean that students who are accepted the week of the application deadline, may not have received log in credentials yet. To ensure that you have your log in in time, start the Admissions process early, it can take a few days to receive your credentials depending on the timing of your acceptance.
Bart Leonard Scholars Fund
Bart Leonard was a student of our Naropa Founder in 1976 and devoted himself to meditation practice. Bart was the Director of the Shambhala Center in New York City for several years and served on the Board of the D.C. Shambhala Center. Beginning in 2017, he served on the Naropa Board of Trustees with diligence, a vast heart, and disarming humor until his retirement in 2022.
The Bart Leonard Scholars Fund will be awarded to returning (Starting at least their second year) graduate or undergraduate students, who demonstrate significant financial need. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years. Students applying for this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (for undergraduate students) or a 3.5 GPA (for graduate students).
Applicants should submit a 1–2 page essay describing the student’s desire to continue their studies at Naropa and how this scholarship would help them pursue their program. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by a committee.
Charles B. Edison Jinpa Scholarship
Chuck and Judy Lief Presidential Scholarship
A Half-Century of Service
Chuck and Judy’s dedication to Naropa runs deep. They are both committed to the vision of Naropa to create transformative education by joining contemplative practice, academic study, and community service. In Judy’s words, “Naropa transforms lives. It certainly transformed mine. I am proud to be a part of this visionary project.”
Chuck says, “Naropa’s motto: Transform Yourself, Transform the World, defines the impact of the unique Naropa approach to higher education. It is the reason our graduates have such an impact in so many disciplines and in so many places. Helping to meet the financial needs of our exceptional students is a great offering to a world in need of the leaders whose journey has led them to Naropa.”
For 50 years, Chuck and Judy have given their time and talents to create, serve, and invest in Naropa University.
How to Apply:
The Chuck and Judy Lief Presidential Scholarship will be awarded to new and returning graduate or undergraduate students, who demonstrate significant financial need up to $2,500 per award. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years. Students applying for this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (for undergraduate students) or a 3.5 GPA (for graduate students).
Applicants should submit a 1–2-page essay describing why they chose to study at Naropa, what impact they see their studies at Naropa having on their career path, and how this scholarship would help them pursue their program and goals. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by a committee.
Application for Spring 2025 Open now through October 23rd, 2024.
Coburn Berry Scholarship
Friends of Thomas Coburn (Naropa President Emeritus) and Leigh Berry have made charitable gifts to this fund to support first generation college students with financial need.
One or two students per year are selected to receive all or part of the award. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a brief essay (1–2 pages) describing the student’s eligibility for the award. Eligible applicants will be first generation undergraduate students (neither parent attended college), demonstrate financial need (through the FAFSA), be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Awards are not automatically renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years.
Gerald Red Elk Scholarship
This scholarship was established to honor Gerald Red Elk and is awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student at a time, who identifies with or can demonstrate experience working with a Native American population (preference given to Native American groups within the United States). To qualify, the applicant must write an essay (no more than 3 pages in length) that documents past or current service to, or the impact of being part of, the Native American population, and explains the intended use of the degree in service to the tribe. Materials should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office, and student must meet all other criteria for financial aid. Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Marvin I. Naiman Scholarship
W.E.B. Dubois Scholarship
APPLICATION DEADLINE
2024/2025 Naropa Scholarship Application closed May 2024.
2025/2026 Naropa Scholarship application is due April 1st, 2025 midnight MT.
SUMMER WRITING PROGRAM
All Summer Writing Program Scholarships
View all scholarship available for SWP.
Apply for Summer Writing Program Scholarships
- New students receive their MyNaropa username and password via email after submitting their Application to the program.
- Students must log in to their MyNaropa account with their username (Student ID) and password.
- SWP Scholarship Application for 2024 is now live!
SCHOLARSHIPS BY NOMINATION
Students who meet the above listed scholarship requirements are automatically considered for the following awards.
No separate application or materials are required to be considered.
Non-Program Specific Awards
Non-program specific awards are awards that students can be recommended for by Naropa staff and faculty each academic year.
Arbie Thalacker Scholarship
Awarded, by nomination, to an outstanding graduate or undergraduate student to provide financial support in honor of Arbie Thalacker’s commitment to contemplative education, to the Naropa learning experience, and to Naropa students.
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche Scholarship
Colin Wolcott Endowed Scholarship
The Colin Wolcott Endowed Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who bring talent and creative ability into the classroom experience through music.
John W. Cobb Scholarship in Civic Engagement and Social Justice
Awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrate exceptional academic promise; who are actively involved as campus leaders and who exhibit demonstrated to civic engagement, social justice, and educational diversity.
Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarship
The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarship is awarded, by nomination, to students who are committed to the promotion of diversity and social justice in our society and who demonstrate leadership in the classroom, on campus and in the greater community. Preference is given to those underrepresented students who bring an element of diversity to the University through their race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status and/or socioeconomic background.
Nancy Ashman Memorial Scholarship
Awarded, by nomination, to one entering first-year student who exhibits strong academic promise and significant financial need.
Environmental Studies
Frances Harwood Scholarship
Martin Janowitz Scholarship
Awarded annually to an undergraduate in Environmental Studies or to a graduate student in Resilient Leadership. No separate application is required.
Taijiquan (T’ai Chi Ch’uan)
The Bataan Go Faigao and Jane G. Faigao Endowed Scholarship
Created in memory by the families of Naropa’s Traditional Eastern Arts program founders, Bataan and Jane Faigao, this scholarship supports undergraduate and/or graduate students who are enrolled to take any of the Taijiquan (T’ai Chi Ch’uan) classes at the University.
Wisdom Traditions
Stephen B Brooks Wisdom Traditions Annual Scholarship
Other Nomination Scholarships
International Student Scholarship
SUN Student Leader Scholarship
EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
External Scholarship Tips & Resources
Outside scholarships are those scholarships offered by organizations and individuals outside of Naropa. There is free money available for educational expenses. The challenge is dedicating one’s time and energy to investigating, locating, and applying to receive these funds.
Perseverance, dedication, and creativity are essential to a successful search. Here are some suggestions to help you with your scholarship search:
Note Deadlines
The best time to apply for outside scholarships for an upcoming academic year is typically during September through December. Requesting and compiling necessary information such as transcripts, essays and letters of reference can be time consuming. We recommend beginning the application process well before application deadlines.
Beware of Fees
Do not use any “scholarship search service” that requires a fee. Too often, these often turn out to be scams, have unrealistic requirements for the student, and/or produce dissatisfying results.
Cultivate Networks
Don’t underestimate the valuable scholarship resource pool available from home, school and work networks. For example, a large percentage of private scholarships come from parents’ employers. Friends, extended family members, administrators, professors, fellow student recipients, mentors and religious associates may also know of outside scholarship opportunities.
Outside Scholarships Resources
- Your local non-profit organizations
- VFWs, American Legions, community foundations, libraries, etc.
- Bold
- FestWeb
- Career One Stop
- Cappex
- Addictions.com
- Military Service Members and Family Scholarships
- The Denver Foundation
