Scholarship Program Information

Eligible Students

High School Students who plan to attend an accredited college, university or trade school and college students enrolled in an accredited college, university, or trade school. Applicants should show interest in pursuing a career in or related to the transportation industry.

Scholarship Award Process

COMTO Colorado will award a check for the scholarship amount made payable to the student and sent to the institution to which the student will be attending. The recipient must provide COMTO with a copy of his/her college enrollment registration along with the address of the school’s financial aid officer prior to the check being mailed. The student must provide his/her student account number with this information. The scholarship must be used during the 2022–2023 academic year or any remaining funds will be forfeited.

Eligible high school applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be a graduating high school senior entering a regionally accredited college or university in the year the scholarship is applied for. Scholarships are awarded only to those who graduate from high school in the calendar year in which scholarships are presented.
2. Be currently enrolled, in good standing and maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average through the 2021–2022 academic year.
3. Complete the full COMTO Colorado application process by the designated deadline.
4. Enrolled in any state-approved high school.

Eligible college level applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Be currently enrolled and in good standing at an accredited college or university in the year with intent to continue studies in the 2022-2023 academic year.
2. Maintaining at least a 2.5 grade point average through the 2021–2022 academic year.
3. Complete the full COMTO Colorado application process by the designated deadline.

To be considered, fully completed application form and accompanying documentation must be submitted online or mailed by May 6, 2022.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD CRITERIA

Selection of recipients of COMTO Colorado Scholarships will be made by a panel appointed by the COMTO Colorado Scholarship Committee.

The following scoring system will apply:

• 15 points Grade Point Average
  • 4.0 – 3.5 (15 pts)
  • >3.5 – 3.0 (13 pts)
  • >3.0 – 2.5 (11 pts)
• 20 points Personal Essay
  • Essay will be scored based on content, grammar, spelling, flow of ideas and applicant’s answers to the COMTO Colorado required essay questions.
• 10 points Participation in activities related to career goal
• 15 points Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
• 15 points High School Citizenship
  • Attendance, rules followed for school, awards received, participation, volunteer work performed, outside school involvement (jobs, clubs, etc.)
• 25 points Individual Interview

INSTRUCTIONS

Review the COMTO Colorado Scholarship program rules and instruction below before starting the application process. Complete the Scholarship Application online or download the application and mail it in.

1. Personal Essay from Applicant
   Write an essay (500 to 700 words), typewritten using size 12 font, which includes answers to the following:
   
   1. Why you chose your planned field of study? 
   2. Describe how your planned field of study is related to the transportation industry.
   3. How do you think your coursework and life experiences have helped you prepare for your college studies and the future?
   4. Explain why you are an excellent candidate for this scholarship.
   5. What else you would like to tell the Scholarship Selection Committee to help it make a decision about your scholarship application.
      Note: In preparing your personal essay (as well as preparing for your interview), consider how you can most effectively convey your best qualities.
2. Two Letters of Recommendation (Both High School and College Applicants)
   Letters may be provided by teachers, school staff, employers, coaches, etc. The person submitting the letter should state how he or she knows you and your ability to benefit from the scholarship. Letters from family members will not be accepted.
3. Counselor Endorsement Form (High School Applicants Only)

If a counselor is used in the submittal for No. 2 (i.e. for a recommendation) then a different counselor must provide the endorsement form.

If letters or forms are sent separately, it is up to the applicant to ensure all materials have been sent by the deadline, May 6, 2022.