GROSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP
REWARDING OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP
The Grossman Scholarship Program helps make educational dreams possible for those who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources.*
We are committed to programmatic offerings that celebrate diversity and embody inclusivity. We encourage and desire applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities, and walks of life to apply and help grow a more inclusive outdoor stewardship community that engages all people.
Applications for the 2026-2027 scholarships are open.
Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST.
Annual Scholarships
Grossman Scholarships are awarded to Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry-related education program in Colorado.
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will award up to a total of $45,000 in scholarships** in 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year, thanks to the generosity of former VOC Board Member Rick Grossman and Susie Grossman.
SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED
FOR THOSE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL
WHAT: $5,000-$10,000 scholarships are available to be awarded.
WHO: Graduating high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education.
FOR THOSE PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AFTER A POSTPONEMENT OR AS A CONTINUATION
WHAT: Scholarships between $5,000-$10,000 are available to be awarded.
WHO: Anyone who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or who will be continuing their pursuit of an undergraduate degree after postponement of studies.
Postponement of studies includes but is not limited to individuals who postponed or were unable to complete their post-secondary education degree fully due to financial or familial circumstances, individuals taking a gap year between their final year of high school and first year of undergraduate studies, and those seeking a new career path requiring post-secondary education.
Photo by Phil Demosthenes
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
An eligible candidate:
- Is a Colorado resident;
- Has demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources* within their personal, educational, and/or professional time. Students should be able to share three examples;
- Must provide a Letter of Recommendation that highlights the applicant's commitment to caring for natural resources;
- Is pursuing a degree program with an environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry emphasis at an accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year community college, or a certificate program offered by an accredited college/university within the state of Colorado; and
- Is enrolled (or will be enrolled) at least half-time*** in upcoming programs; the candidate cannot be in the last semester of a program as funds cannot be applied retroactively.
POST REQUIREMENTS
FOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS IN 2026
Before funds are awarded, the scholarship recipient will be required to:
- Provide VOC with formal enrollment documentation and write a short blog post for VOC, including a photo of you.
After funds are awarded, the scholarship recipient will be required to:
- Attend one VOC volunteer project during the April-October 2026 project season
- Alternatively, you may act as a VOC ambassador on your school campus by 1) being available to post flyers provided to you by VOC in appropriate places across campus and/or 2) being a connector between VOC and potential campus groups/faculty interested in environmental stewardship during the 2026-2027 academic year.
Photo by James Tsui
Applications for the 2026-2027 scholarships are open.
Applications must be submitted by March 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM MST.
Questions? Please email scholarships@voc.org
*A demonstrated commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources may be shown in many ways;
- Volunteerism: Volunteering may include but is not limited to trail construction and maintenance, invasive species management, habitat restoration, gardening and planting, forestry management, flood and fire restoration, recreational improvement, historic preservation, citizen science, or river/trash clean-ups. Volunteer efforts may occur within an environmental/outdoor organization (e.g. VOC, Wildland Restoration Volunteers, Environmental Learning for Kids, Groundwork Denver, Latino Outdoors) or with a Land Agency (e.g. United States Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, State Parks, or with local city park agencies).
- Professional Experience: Applicants who are currently in employment positions within a natural resources field can reference professional experience to demonstrate a long-term commitment to environmental stewardship work.
- Educational Experience: Applicants may also reference personal experiences and school programs that demonstrate their continuous commitment to environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry work.
**Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the awardee’s academic institution for tuition and fee costs. If the award is greater than that amount, the remaining balance may be held for the next semester or distributed directly to the student for other school-related uses, such as room and board or textbooks, if this is their final term.
***Half-time is generally defined as at least 6 credit hours per semester, but varies by institution. Check with your institution to confirm that the credits you are planning to take meet the minimum requirements for half-time status.
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Applicants can visit this link to check that their program is at an eligible, accredited institution:https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.
†Current VOC employees, their partners, children, or relatives are not eligible to apply. Former VOC employees, as well as their partners, children, or relatives are eligible to apply after one full year of post-employment. VOC board members, their partners, children, or relatives are eligible to apply as long as that member does not sit on the scholarship grading committee. Grading committee members must wait two years after serving on the committee to apply, if they choose to do so.
A Letter of Recommendation may be written by a member of VOC staff.
