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Vocational and Technical School Scholarships

9/29/2015

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We know that college isn't for everybody, but many students don't realize that Bootstraps scholarships can be used for higher education other than four-year degrees. Students can apply for scholarships to be used for two-year community colleges and for programs at trade and technical schools. Bootstraps has scholarships especially for specific careers such as precision machining, carpentry, drafting, and many other specialties.

Let's say you're considering a construction-related trade, such as plumbing. When you go to a trade school, they're going to teach you how to be a plumber. But they will also teach you how to do bids for jobs, how you should dress when meeting with a client for the first time, how to read a blue print for when you're installing in new construction, and many other skills essential for being a top-notch plumber. You will also earn a lot more money that if you didn't get professional training. As a first-year plumber with trade school training, you can make around $33,000 a year compared to someone with no trade school of about $20,000.

The cost of these programs vary, but a two-year plumbing program at Red Rocks Community College will cost less than $10,000. Since you'll earn $13,000 more in your first year than with just a high school diploma, it's well worth the investment.

If you're lucky enough to receive a Bootstraps scholarship and/or interest-free loan, you'll be well on your way to funding your career.

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Rocky Mountain Literary Festival 10/17/15

9/28/2015

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Did you know that proceeds from the Rocky Mountain Literary Festival will provide scholarships for local students? This is a great event being held at Mt Vernon Country Club on October 17th featuring five diverse Colorado authors, drawing 180 avid readers, and promising stimulating conversation in a beautiful mountain setting. Your support of the event and of the scholarships it will provide through Bootstraps is deeply appreciated.

Tickets are $75 and include a continental breakfast and elegant lunch, as well as a chance to meet Francine Mathews, Thomas Hornbein, Mark Stevens, Jeff Miller, and Maura Weiler, featuring Greg Dobbs as the moderator.


Purchase tickets today at http://www.rockymountainliteraryfestival.org/



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Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Program

9/23/2015

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The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation seeks high-achieving high school seniors with financial need for its College Scholarship Program, the largest undergraduate scholarship in the nation. Selected students receive college planning support, ongoing advising, and up to $40,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate institution. If you know students who stand out for their exceptional academic abilities and achievements, persistence, leadership, and desire to help others, please encourage them to visit the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s website to learn more. The application closes on November 3. http://bit.ly/1KqbogY

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Top colleges with no application fees

9/22/2015

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Applying to colleges can get pretty expensive. Stanford University, for example, charges $90 and they only accept about 6% of applicants. The College Board recommends applying to five to eight schools to be on the safe side. With an average cost to apply of $37.88 per application (US News and World Report), the cost can add up quickly.

Believe it or not, there are colleges and universities that do not charge a fee to apply. Click here to view a list of colleges with no application fee.
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Thanks to the Thomas Jefferson High School Journal for the graphic.
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Why I love my job

9/18/2015

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Bootstraps is able to award scholarships and loans solely through the generosity of our donors. One of our donors, a small foundation from Denver, made it possible for us to award a $3,000 continuing scholarship to an Evergreen High School graduate from 2012. I called her today to tell her she was the recipient of the award. Her response: "Oh my gosh! You made my day!" And best of all, because she was fortunate to receive assistance from Bootstraps throughout college, she will be graduating a semester early!

I love my job because I get to give great news to young people and let them know that a complete stranger cares enough about them to give them a hand up!
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Where does CO stand in the funding of higher education?

9/16/2015

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You had to scroll all the way down to find it, didn't you? These per capita figures equate to $3,417 per student compared to a national average of $9,082. The American Council on Education predicts that Colorado funding of higher ed will reach $0 by 2019.

State funding of higher ed differs from Federal in that the state dollars go to the colleges and universities to be used for operating expenses, among other things. When Colorado decreases the dollars going to the schools, the schools have no choice but to pass on the cost to the consumer, in this case the student.

At Bootstraps, we hope to alleviate this ever-increasing burden on young adults who desire to get ahead in life. To learn more about what we do, click here.
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Great news about the FAFSA!

9/15/2015

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For those of you who have completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in the past for either yourself or a potential college attendee, you know how daunting filling it out can seem. Beginning in October 2016, students and their parents will be able to use prior prior years' (two years ago) tax information when completing the FAFSA. For the 2017 school year, the 2015 tax information will be used and automatically retrieved from the IRS. Not only does the process become simpler, but students will know three months sooner how much aid they might receive, making college choice easier. To read more in the Washington Post, click here.
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What's so great about higher ed?

9/14/2015

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Graphic courtesy of Rasmussen College http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/education/blog/12-motivational-education-quotes-to-inspire-you/
Most of you have heard or read about the personal financial benefits of higher education, defined here as education beyond high school leading to a certificate or degree. Many experts say that someone with a degree will earn 84% more than someone without one over a lifetime. That can translate to $2.8 million over a lifetime!

There are also huge benefits to society for those who have pursued postsecondary education. During their lifetime they pay more taxes, enjoy better health, are less likely to be involved in criminal activity, less likely to be unemployed, and are more likely to volunteer in their communities and to vote. In other words, they are less likely to use tax dollars and more likely to generate them.

But the US is lagging other countries in degree attainment coming in at number 11 for global postsecondary attainment. In South Korea, 64% of young adults completed education beyond high school, compared to just over 40% of young adults in the US.  This sounds pretty bleak when you consider that two-thirds of all jobs generated in the next decade will require some sort of postsecondary education.

If the US can’t provide the skilled workers necessary to meet the demands of a growing economy, corporations will be forced to outsource jobs to other countries with workers who do have the qualifications. This causes our entire economy to suffer. In our own small way, Bootstraps is trying to make sure this doesn't happen.

Although we can’t help everyone, we can help someone, someone in our own community, to reach their educational dreams and "develop [their] greatest abilities ... for the greater strength of our nation." If you’d like to help, click here to learn more.


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Bootstraps   |   PO Box 253   |   Evergreen, CO  80437   |   720-618-8924   |   info@bootstrapsinc.org
Copyright 2021 Bootstraps, Inc.   
  • Home
  • About Us
    • History
    • Board and Staff >
      • Finance Committee
      • Members Login
    • Financial Information
    • Board Member Job Description
  • DONATE
    • How to Donate
    • Honor Roll
    • Create a Scholarship/Create a Loan
    • Memorial Scholarships
    • Leave a Legacy
    • King Soopers Community Rewards
    • Bootstraps Supporters
  • SCHOLARSHIPS AND LOANS
    • Eligibility and Application
    • CTE
    • Scholarships and Interest-free loans
    • Application Overview
    • FAFSA
    • How Are My Funds Disbursed?
    • Continuing Loans
    • Continuing Scholarships
    • Forms
  • OTHER RESOURCES
    • How do we decide?
    • Decoding Your Financial Aid Award Letter
    • What is Award Displacement?
    • Community College Transfer
    • Other Scholarships
    • Pandemic Stories
  • Recipients
    • 2022 Recipients
    • 2021 Recipients
    • 2020 Recipients
    • 2019 Recipients
    • 2018 Recipients
    • 2017 Recipients >
      • 2017 Recipient Bios
    • Recipient Profiles
  • Events
  • Cap and Gown Club
  • FAQs for applicants
  • Staff Directory