Purpose

The purpose of the Incline Friends Scholarship Awards is to provide college scholarship awards to students who have shown an interest in outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement regarding the preservation of our natural resources. Up to Three (3) Scholarship Awards have been established to honor individuals who have made contributions to supporting those activities in El Paso County.

Awards

Up to three undergraduate scholarship awards are available in amounts up to $2,500 each. Awards are for one year only. All scholarship awards will be paid directly to the educational institutions that students will attend.

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be High School seniors who are El Paso County residents or enrolled at a school in El Paso County.
2. Applicants must provide evidence of a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
3. Applicants must have completed all application requirements noted below.
4. Applicants must be US citizens.
5. Applicants may not be related to any current Incline Friends directors or major donors.

The Incline Friends Scholarship Awards are awarded without regard to race, sex, religion, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. Incline Friends will not award scholarships to applicants who, in its judgement, are not qualified and reserves the right not to award a scholarship each year.

Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated or expressed interest in outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and community involvement with an emphasis on caring for and preserving our natural resources. Special consideration will be given to students who intend to pursue studies in the field of natural resource preservation and stewardship.
2. Demonstrated leadership accomplishments.
3. Student Essay (200-500 words)
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation from non-family members, to include but not be limited to teachers, school officials, counselors, employers, etc.
5. Academic standing (minimum required cumulative GPA of 3.00).
6. Future plans (University/college, community college, trade school, apprenticeship, etc.)
7. Potential interview with selected finalists.

Application Requirements

To be considered for an Incline Friends Scholarship Award, applicants must complete the online application and submit it by January 31st, 2025. The application must include:

1. A completed online application form. Only completed application forms will be considered. Application is online below.
2. Two (2) letters of recommendation (must come from the author of the letter, and should be emailed directly from them to inclinefriends@gmail.com.)
3. An official high school transcript for at least the last 2 years including GPA (if not electronic, scan your copy and attach as a file to to your application below.  An official hard copy may be requested at a later date).
4. A 200-500 word essay/statement stating the applicant’s qualifications and educational and career goals (Save as a PDF & attach to application below)

All four of the above items must be submitted before the application will be considered.

Submission of Application Form

The application form is available below. Fill it out completely on the website, attach required additional documentation and hit “submit”. Do not fill out the application until you are ready … there is no way to save a partial submission. You will receive a confirmation email notice that your application has been received. Note that the application requires a signature. You may provide an electronic signature, or print out the completed application, sign it and scan it as a pdf and email to scholarship@inclinefriends.org.

Submission of Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be sent as .pdf files (with the name of the applicant as part of the file name) directly from the author to scholarship@inclinefriends.org. The letter should indicate the capacity in which the letter writer knows the applicant, e.g. as a student, employee, volunteer.

Questions about the application process may be directed to scholarship@inclinefriends.org.

DEADLINE:

Note that all application materials must be received by January 31st, 2025.

Scholarship 2025

Instructions

1. Fill out each field completely. Note that the application requires a signature. You may sign with your mouse / finger or type this in.
2. Use the "Attach Files" section in the form to attach your official transcript & essay.  Accepted file formats include PDF (preferred), DOC, DOCX, JPG, or PNG. Please remember your 2 letters of recommendation MUST be emailed directly FROM the author TO Incline Friends at scholarship@inclinefriends.org and should NOT be attached to this form.
3. Once your form is complete, click "submit."  You will receive a copy of your submission at the email address you provide.

Personal Information

Applicant Name *

First

Last *

Last

Mailing Address *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Email *

Academic Information

High School *

Cumulative High School GPA *

Intended Major or Field of Interest *

Education

How many years do you plan to attend college or an institution of higher learning, and what areas of study of interest would you pursue? *

What future business or educational career will you likely pursue after finishing such course of interest? *

What colleges / other institutions would you most like to attend? Please explain your reason. *

What colleges / other institutions have you applied to for admission? Please indicate acceptance status. *

List scholarships, grants, or loans for which you have applied, or which you have received (and their amounts) *

Academic, Athletic, Leadership, Service, and Extra Activities

List academic or other awards, achievements, and dates. *

List any leadership roles or activities. *

List participation in community service and extra-curricular activities. *

Attach Files

Use to upload your official transcript & essay ONLY. PLEASE remember that your 2 letters of recommendation must be EMAILED FROM THE AUTHOR DIRECTLY to Incline Friends at scholarship@inclinefriends.org., and should NOT be uploaded with this form.

You may load up to 4 files with this form. Please add ALL your files for upload BEFORE submitting the form. You can select & add files 1-by-1 by dragging & dropping them on the field, by clicking on the field multiple times to add individually. You can also add all your files at once by multi-selecting them on your computer (CTRL+click).

File Upload

Drop files here or click to upload Choose Files

Maximum file size: 5MB

Accepted file formats include PDF (preferred), DOC, DOCX, JPG, or PNG.

Nepotism Statement:
State law requires applicants to identify any relation to a current member of the Incline Friends Board of Directors or major donors which you believe disqualifies you. A student related to either is not eligible for this scholarship. If appropriate, please identify the relationship to a Board member or major donor.
Authorization Information:
I authorize the Incline Friends the right to access all my current academic and personal records identified above. To be eligible for a scholarship, I understand that I must meet the scholarship criteria and eligibility as set forth in the Incline Friends Scholarship Program Information available at https://inclinefriends.org/scholarship.

I agree that my name and information from my academic history may be released to the scholarship selection committee(s). If awarded a scholarship, I agree that the Incline Friends has the right to arrange a meeting with the selection committee(s) and use my name, story, and picture for printed and video materials, reports, and press releases without compensation. I will also endeavor to attend an award ceremony honoring my scholarship.

I certify that the statements herein are true to the best of my knowledge and belief and grant my permission for the information contained herein to be shared with the scholarship selection committee(s).

Signature *

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Date *

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