With everything Denver Inner City Parish does, is an overriding mission to break the cycle of poverty. One very important way to accomplish this is to earn a degree, certificate or license so you can find a more stable, better paying job.
We aim to remain connected to our program participants, staff and past scholarship recipients by limiting our eligibility for scholarships to these groups. So, if you or someone you know is a current or past program participant with DICP, a current or past DICP employee, or one of our past scholarship recipients, we highly encourage you to apply for our Steven Johnsen Scholarship.
Below we discuss why this pathway can really pay, how school costs keep rising, and the eligibility requirements and important dates you need to know.
A college degree, certificate or speciality training is crucial in the Denver area job market
It’s no secret that the Denver metropolitan area has a highly educated workforce, with 49.1% of the population having a bachelor’s degree or higher. This is second only to the Boulder metro area nationwide. 92.3% of Metro Denver residents have also completed high school, which is almost 4% higher than the national average.
Colorado as a whole is also considered to have one of the most educated populations in the country, with 62.9% of people aged 25–64 having some form of postsecondary credential.
To have the same opportunity as other applicants, you want to make sure you are similarly situated. If you don’t have the same experience as a first time applicant, you can increase your visibility with the relevant education and training but how will you afford it?
Educational Costs Keep Rising:
The average cost of college tuition & fees at public 4-year institutions has risen 179.2% over the last 20 years for an average annual increase of 9.0%. Source – https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college-by-year
For example, in 2001 the average tuition and fees for 1 year at a public 4 year college was $3,501 and in 2021 this amount was $9,939!
Let’s look closely at the cost of tuition and fees for college in the Denver area where our scholarship recipients attend school:
UC Denver
1 college credit hour at UCD is $506 for a Colorado resident. If a student was to take an average course load of 15 credit hours would total 7,590. Once you add in fees this amount increases by roughly 700 per year to 8,290. A student still needs to buy groceries, cover rent and buy school supplies and books. This doesn’t add in transportation costs and any insurance, cell phone, or a laptop. If you are taking a full course load, you will not be able to work full-time or if you are, it will take you longer to complete your courses.
Community College of Denver
1 college credit hour at CCD is $169.10. With fees and taking 15 credits, a student is looking at a total of $6,551.78 for one year. Source: https://www.ccd.edu/paying-college/tuition-rates-credit-hour
Metro State
1 college credit hour at Metro State is $420 for a Colorado resident. If a student was to take an average course load of 15 credit hours would total $6,300. Add in roughly 1k in fees, etc. and your total cost is nearly $7,300. Source: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Tuition-Tables-FY2425-Final-V2.pdf
Why Certificates, Training and Degrees Matter
Having completed a certificate, training or a higher ed program helps you earn a higher paying job,and be able to find another job or bounce back from a layoff. In addition, the more specialized experience you have, the more likely you are to have an employer offering more upward mobility, benefits and other offerings to keep employees happy and not job hopping.
Denver Inner City Parish Scholarships Have Fewer Applicants
When there are fewer applicants, your chances of securing a scholarship increase.
Eligibility requirements are a pre-existing relationship with our nonprofit. Not only does this mean we are familiar with our applicants, but we are better able to remain connected with them as they move closer to completing their studies.
Eligibility requirements include:
You must be in one or more of the following categories:
a. Currently participating in a DICP program or have participated in a DICP program in the past; or
b. A relative of someone who participated in a DICP program or participated in a DICP program in the past; or
c. Currently an employee of DICP; or
d. A past employee of DICP who worked for DICP for not less than one year and who was not fired for “cause”; or
e. A relative of an employee or past employee of DICP.
Currently enrolled or accepted for admittance to an accredited college or trade school and pursuing a degree or certificate at that school for the Fall Semester of 2024. You must be planning to take not less than three credit hours of classes (or the equivalent) at that school.
– Demonstrate a financial need for a scholarship by delivering to DICP a copy of a current FAFSA
Important Dates for Applicants:
Applications Available – May 14, 2024
Application Deadline – July 1, 2024
Applicants Notified – August 7, 2024
We encourage past recipients to apply again and keep us informed about your educational pursuits!
Each year we support students pursuing degrees, certificates, licenses. Most, if not all recipients, are first generation college students and residents of low income neighborhoods in Denver.
Scholarship money may be used to cover the cost of tuition, books, school supplies and living expenses.
To donate and help fund these scholarships, click here.