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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is Eligible to apply?

DEF administers a variety of scholarships which are open to Durango High School and Durango Big Picture High School seniors only, unless otherwise indicated on the individual scholarship criteria.
 

When does the Application Cycle open?

The application cycle for the academic year begins November 15, 2025.  We ask that applicants thoughtfully review the criteria for each scholarship and apply only as appropriate. 
 

When are applications due?

The deadline to apply is February 20, 2026 at 5PM MST. Please give yourself plenty of time in case you have submission issues. No applications will be accepted past the deadline. 

 

When will recipients be notified?

Notification of recipients will be made in April of 2026. Some scholarships include interviews which take time to set up between multiple people so often students will hear back that they are in the running. Some scholarships are simply awarded as decided by the committee. Every year we try to improve our process of notifying students of the status of the scholarship selection process but prepare yourself to not know much until April/the beginning of May. We recognize that can make choosing a college challenging.
 

Who should I contact if I have any questions?

Contact Kelli Ford at the Durango Education Foundation via phone at 970.903.1570 or defscholarships@gmail.com. This is her personal cell so feel free to call or text. 

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What are other tips and notes I should be aware of? 

  • Applicants should read the conflice of interest and eligibility description listed at the bottom of this page to confirm they are eligible to apply. 

  • Applicants will be able to submit all applications with one general application linked to the APPLY button to the left. Check individual scholarship criteria for eligibility and application requirements PRIOR to completing the application.

  • Applicants should use their essays to address the unique criteria of each offering. Be open and honest – the Scholarship Committee would like to get to know you as an individual!

  • Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Evidence of tampering will be reason to refuse application.

  • Ideally, recommendation letters will address the applicant’s qualifications that are specifically relevant to the scholarship in question.  Evidence of tampering will be reason to refuse application.

  •  DO NOT submit duplicate applications.
    You will fill out and submit JUST ONE application which will be reviewed for all our scholarships. Your eligibility is determined by how you answer the questions. 

  • Please make sure that you include ALL documents that each scholarship for which you're applying requires in your ONE application. 

  • If you have trouble uploading pdf documents into the Google application, please contact Kelli Ford at 970.903.1570 and she will set up an alternative way for you to send your documents in. 

  • DO NOT submit a headshot or photograph of yourself.

  • Unless noted otherwise scholarships are not renewable.

  • Contact 970.903.1570 or defscholarships@gmail.com for questions and/or help!

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CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ELIGIBILITY NOTICE​

  • Board Members: Family members of current board members of Durango Education Foundation are not eligible for any scholarships.

  • Donors: Family members of a donor may apply, but they are not eligible for scholarships funded by their own relative.

  • School Board: For the Elizabeth Testa scholarship awarded by the Durango Board of Education, family members of current school board members are not eligible to apply. 
     

What consitutes family member? 
For the purpose of this policy, ‘related to’ means spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or other person living in the same household.
 

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