About

More Than a Scholarship

Ron Davis initiated the Guardian Scholars Program at California State University, Fullerton. We, at Guardian Scholars, through our comprehensive empowerment model, identify high school students who need financial aid. We also offer emotional support and go with a family approach for them to be successful.

Guardian Scholars: 2015 from Justine Henderson Guardians Scholars Alumna

Comprehensive Student Empowerment Model

The Guardian Scholars Program is a comprehensive student empowerment model that identifies ambitious, capable high school students. For the students who cannot afford college fees and education, we provide critical educational, interpersonal, and professional development skills to them. We also offer significant financial leverage, maximizing institutional and philanthropic resources to enable student scholars to earn an undergraduate college degree.

About the Scholarship Recipients

We support the first-generation and underserved youth who have graduated from high school in Eagle County, Colorado. Scholarship recipients have demonstrated financial need, typically qualifying for full or substantial Federal and State Student Financial Aid. Often the first in their family to attend college, this young adult population is forced to make the difficult transition to college life without traditional family support. In the absence of an added support system, they would typically experience significant financial and emotional hardship to pursue higher education.

Emotional Support & Guidance

Guardian Scholars provides far more than merely a financial scholarship. We provide a family approach that is critical and provides emotional support to the students.

Guardian Scholars has pioneered a warm and distinctive working partnership with educational institutions, including the Eagle County School District, Colorado Mesa University, and Colorado Mountain College.

A creative collaboration between these entities and over 40 Guardian Angel donors creates a cost-effective fiscal and interpersonal student support system with outstanding results.

Guardian Scholars Scholarship Information & Requirements

Scholarship Description

The Guardian Scholarship is a Renewable Scholarship to Colorado Mesa University or Colorado Mountain College
The Guardian Scholarship Includes Tuition, Room, Board and Books
The Guardian Scholarship includes Life coaching and mentoring
The Guardian Scholarship includes Career exploration and internships
The Guardian Scholarship includes financial coaching and mentoring

Guardian Scholars Criteria for Application

Applicants MUST be a graduate from an Eagle County, Colorado High School with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
Priority given to students who are the first generation to attend college
Consideration will be given to students who have overcome significant personal obstacles
Student qualifies for Federal and State Aid based on FAFSA

Guardian Scholars Personal Characteristics

Guardian Scholars are students who demonstrate a desire and ability to overcome obstacles and barriers in pursuit of their dreams and to achieve their goals. Your 2- 3 page essay should best illustrate your:

Individual determination to succeed
Future goals and desires to achieve them
Self-motivation
Personal character and values

Information Required for your application:

Be sure to have the following information before starting your scholarship application. Once you begin the application process, all content must be completed. The application content cannot be saved and re-opened.

Your Scholarship Essay and photo
High School and CMC Transcripts –will be requested from the high school guidance office after you have submitted your scholarship application
Include EFC from your completed FAFSA in your application or call your EFC number to Susie Davis with Guardian Scholars upon receipt. A copy of your FAFSA confirmation of submission and SAR will be submitted to the Guardian Scholars before you are interviewed
One Letter of Recommendation from a teacher, mentor or employer submitted to the guidance office by the application deadline date
One Reference (other than your letter of recommendation) to include Name, Email and phone number of your Reference in your scholarship application - someone who will attest to your character
Confirmation of Admission to Colorado Mesa University or Colorado Mountain College

Application to Outside Scholarships

If accepted into the program, Guardian Scholars are expected to apply to outside scholarships throughout college during each year of their participation in the scholarship.

As an aspiring applicant, we encourage you to apply to additional scholarships during your initial application process, as well. We receive many applications from highly qualified students, and we are unable to fund all qualified candidates who apply to Guardian Scholars.

If you have questions prior to starting your scholarship application, please contact Susie Davis at [email protected] or 970-977-1093

LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAMS FOR FIRST GENERATION YOUTH

Where We Started

The Guardian Scholars Program was founded at California State University, Fullerton, in 1998 by Ron Davis, to make educational dreams come true for foster youth. The program design offers a comprehensive model that has since become nationally recognized as a highly successful, life-changing program for challenged foster youth. Through creative collaboration, scholarship recipients are empowered to achieve their dreams of earning a college education and launching a successful life.

Implementation

The program model was implemented nationally in over 30 colleges and universities in California. It served thousands of aspiring student scholars. The Guardian Scholars Program is credited with bringing the needs and challenges of a forgotten population, the foster youth, to the hearts and minds of many communities in America.

Developing Partnerships

In 2003, Ron and his wife Lucy identified the needs of first-generation youth who were highly qualified and academically-minded, yet financially challenged living in the Vail Valley of Colorado. With generous support from program donors, called Guardian Angels, the Guardian Scholar model was applied locally. Our Angels have grown Guardian Scholars in the valley, developing partnerships with students, local organizations, and educational institutions.

Status Quo

Operating in Eagle County, Guardian Scholars obtained independent status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 2013. The program is currently serving 45 local high school graduates in partnership with Colorado Mesa University and Colorado Mountain College. Many of the Scholars are the first in their family to attend college. With the program’s recognized success, Guardian Scholars has once again emerged as a successful model for providing higher education to deserving economically challenged youth in the Eagle River Valley.

National Statistics

Nationally, only 11% of low income, first-generation youth will graduate college within six years. Many drop out with substantial student loans, which remain unpaid and contribute to the enormous student debt load in our country.

Our Outcomes

At Guardian Scholars, our graduation rate is over 85%. Additionally, scholars graduate with minimal or no debt, empowering them to launch their professional lives unencumbered by the financial burden of college loans.

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TESTIMONIAL

Being a Guardian Scholar has done so much for me. I feel like I am part of a family who genuinely cares for me and will offer unconditional support. With this care and support I’ve learned to never give up and to keep pushing for the things I once thought were unachievable. I am blessed to be part of the GS family.

-Sydney, CMU ‘22