Daniels Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Daniels Fund

The Daniels Scholarship Program is designed to make higher education accessible for driven and aspiring students.

We are in search of students who possess immense potential, robust character, lofty dreams, and values that resonate with the principles of our founder, Bill Daniels. Daniels Scholars® are the future leaders of America, demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity and a commitment to effecting positive change in their surroundings. They are independent, entrepreneurial-minded individuals who take pride in their nation and their communities, striving tirelessly to enhance them.

What constitutes the selection criteria for the Daniels Scholarship Program?

Bill Daniels, a trailblazer in the cable television industry, was renowned for his empathy towards the less fortunate and his steadfast dedication to ethical conduct and integrity. He was a fervent patriot, having served in two wars to protect our nation and the liberties we cherish today. Bill Daniels also held a deep passion for the free enterprise system, which he believed offered the best chance for individuals to better their circumstances.

Daniels Scholars are chosen based on their embodiment of the criteria established by Bill Daniels for the program:

• Strong character
• Potential for leadership
• Dedication to community service
• Academic achievement or potential
• Balanced personality
• Emotional maturity and stability

Bill Daniels would also expect his scholars to uphold the values he held dear. These values encompass ethics and integrity, honesty, respect for others, loyalty and dependability, entrepreneurial spirit, patriotism and commitment to community, pursuit of excellence, and good manners.

There are specific eligibility criteria for the Daniels Scholarship Program. For comprehensive details, please refer to the Eligibility section below.

Eligibility

For students to qualify for the Daniels Scholarship Program, they must fulfill the following criteria at the time of application:

• Be a high school senior on the verge of graduation
• Reside in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming
• Hold U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
• Achieve a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in high school (on an unweighted 4.0 scale)
• Obtain a minimum SAT Math score of 490 and a minimum Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 490, or a minimum ACT score of 18 in each category (writing score not required).
• Meet the financial eligibility criteria as outlined below.

Details on Financial Eligibility

To qualify for the Daniels Scholarship Program, applicants must demonstrate financial need through an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less on the 2024 federal tax return where the applicant is claimed as a dependent, along with a review of other assets. For each additional dependent claimed on the 2024 tax return, beyond the applicant, an additional income of $10,000 is permitted.

On the 2024 Form 1040, the AGI is listed on Line 11, and claimed dependents can be found in the Dependents section, as shown in the sample form below:

During the application process, applicants will be required to submit documents verifying their eligibility, including their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 2024 federal tax return, ACT/SAT scores, proof of citizenship and residency, evidence of college enrollment for additional claimed dependent(s), and their FAFSA Submission Summary. We advise all students to complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens for the 2025-2026 academic year.