Daniels Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Daniels Fund

The Daniels Scholarship Program is a beacon of hope for driven and ambitious students, providing them with the opportunity to pursue higher education.

Our search is for 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 life's adversities and a commitment to effecting positive change in their surroundings. These individuals are independent, entrepreneurial thinkers who take pride in their country and their communities, and are dedicated to their betterment.

What constitutes the selection criteria for the Daniels Scholarship Program?

Bill Daniels, a pioneer in the cable television industry, was renowned for his empathy towards those in need and his steadfast dedication to ethics and integrity. A patriot at heart, Bill served in two wars to protect our nation and the liberties we cherish today. He was also a fervent advocate of the free enterprise system, which he believed offered the best avenue for individuals to enhance their lives.

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

• Strength of character
• Potential for leadership
• Dedication to community service
• Academic performance or promise
• Well-rounded personality
• Emotional maturity and stability

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

There are specific eligibility requirements for the Daniels Scholarship Program. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the Eligibility section below.

Eligibility

For consideration in the Daniels Scholarship Program, students must fulfill the following prerequisites at the time of application:

• Be a graduating high school senior
• Reside in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming
• Hold citizenship or permanent residency in the United States
• 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 requirements as outlined below.

Financial Eligibility Details

For financial eligibility in 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 allowance of $10,000 of additional income 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 indicated in the sample form below:

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