Norlin Scholars (for high school seniors)

General Description
The Norlin Scholars Program is designed for creative and curious students from all majors who are interested in mindfully developing their whole selves within a supportive learning community. Ideal applicants have an interest in the ways multidisciplinary work informs problem-solving, as well as a desire to apply their learning toward the betterment of humanity. Further, ideal candidates are interested in self-reflection and growth through integrative, embodied learning and collaboration within the community.

Norlin Scholars must take the required Norlin course in their first and third year, attend mandatory community events, adhere to program participation and conduct norms to retain the scholarship. To be considered for the scholarship, you must have a 3.0 or higher high school GPA.

We adhere to the philosophy that as many students as possible should have a well-supported, community-based undergraduate education; it makes our campus more welcoming and inclusive. To share resources and because of the added responsibilities and obligations of being in a smaller community like Norlin Scholars, students who accept the scholarship as high school seniors cannot simultaneously participate in the President’s Leadership Class, the Engineering Honors Program, or the Leeds Scholars Program.

The Norlin Scholarship is provided through the Norlin Scholars Program at the University of Colorado Boulder. Recipients of the Norlin Scholarship are awarded for up to four years.
To be considered for this scholarship, you must
• Be a first-year incoming undergraduate student.
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative high school GPA.
• Submit the Norlin Scholars application by 11:59 pm MT (Colorado time) on Feb. 15.

How to Apply
To apply for consideration, you must
• Complete and submit the CU Boulder Scholarship Application.
• If matched to Norlin Scholars from your submitted scholarship application, complete and submit the Norlin Scholars application by 11:59 pm MT (Colorado time) on Feb. 15.
• Submit your answers on the application form; do not provide an external link to a document with your answers.
• Follow Norlin Scholars AI Guidelines when writing essays.
• If we notify you that you are a finalist, you must submit further material by the deadline in our notification.

Renewal Criteria
To be eligible to renew this scholarship each year, recipients are required to enroll as full-time undergraduate students each fall and spring semester, maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA each academic year, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, take additional required courses, attend mandatory community events, and adhere to program participation, communication and conduct norms in order to retain the scholarship. This scholarship is renewable for up to three years.

Priority Deadline
The Norlin Scholars application opens December 1 and closes February 15 of the following year. Apply anytime between December 1 and February 15. However, because of the high volume of 4-year applications we receive, those applications received by February 1 will be given priority status.

AI and Scholarship Applications
AI use is not permitted for these scholarship prompts. We want your ideas and responses to the Norlin Scholar essay questions to be completely, originally written by you. We want to understand who you are as a person and scholar. We want you to speak from your heart and your experience. We want your authentic voice, personality, and uniqueness to shine through in your essays without the assistance of AI.
Further, should you be selected, Norlin courses require original and creative thinking. They encourage the intentional development of written and verbal communication to develop your authentic voice. We aim to create an environment where you can engage in self-reflection, practice authenticity, and foster trust. Please keep all of this—and our other essay writing tips—in mind when you apply for the Norlin Scholarship.
Should AI essays be suspected, your application may be disqualified.
You’ll find more information on AI and the CU Honor Code here: AI and Honor Code: 3 Things to Know.

Award
$6,000.00
Schools, Colleges, Departments
Norlin Scholars
Deadline
02/15/2026
Supplemental Questions
  1. The Norlin Scholars community offers much more than a financial award, and we’d like to know how this community resonates with you. Before you answer these questions, please review the Norlin website thoroughly. (See link in help text for Question 1 below.) As you answer, avoid directly quoting from the site and provide plenty of concrete details from your experience. We want to know your authentic self and voice. In our review process, we will read your whole scholarship application; therefore, avoid repeating or cutting and pasting answers.
    • 1) The Norlin Scholars program values curiosity, creativity, embodied learning, self-awareness, and community. We value the cultural wealth each student brings to the community. What will you bring from your community that will enhance the Norlin Scholars as a group? (300-word limit)
    • 2) Author Parker Palmer writes, “Community is that place where the person you least want to live with always lives.” Talk about a time when you had to collaborate and build community with others who have different perspectives or backgrounds from yours. How did you navigate the relational challenges involved? What previous experiences did you rely on, and what new skills did you develop through the experience? (350-word limit)