Apply

See the CU Boulder Scholarship Application Information page and how to apply in the Step-by-Step Guide to the Scholarship Application for Continuing Students. Once you complete the general scholarship application, the system will automatically match you to scholarships for which you qualify. Select Norlin Scholars (if matched) and follow the instructions.

Remember the following:

• To be considered, answer all Norlin Scholars essay questions.
• Rising Juniors should be in their fourth semester of college when they apply and have four semesters to go. Applicants must have a high enough GPA to maintain the 3.0 requirement in their junior and senior years. See our FAQs for details.
• The system allows you to cut/paste from a document but you should keep to word counts and avoid special characters or fonts.
• Submit your answers on the application form; do not provide an external link to a document with your answers.
• You can save your application and return later to edit.
• Be sure to submit both the General Application and the Norlin Scholars Application.
• If you have questions about the scholarship application process, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Submit an admission application to CU Boulder by January 15th. Then see the CU Boulder Scholarship Application Information page and Step-by-Step Guide to the Scholarship Application for Prospective Undergraduate Students. Once you complete the general scholarship application, the system will automatically match you to scholarships for which you qualify. Select Norlin Scholars (if matched) and follow the instructions.

Remember the following:

• To be considered, answer all Norlin Scholars essay questions.
• The system allows you to cut/paste from a document but you should keep to word counts and avoid special characters or fonts.
• Submit your answers on the application form; do not provide an external link to a document with your answers.
• You can save your application and return later to edit.
• Be sure to submit both the General Application and the Norlin Scholars Application.
• If you have questions about the scholarship application process, contact the Office of Financial Aid.

What Helps:

• Get feedback on drafts from a trusted mentor
• Keep to the word limits
• Be creative and unique in presentation
• Use first person and an authentic voice
• Convey who you are in language, tone, and form
• Communicate your core values
• Address only the question or topic requested
• Proofread, edit, spell and grammar check

What Hurts:

• Slang, jargon, clichés or excessively elaborate prose
• Writing too little or too much
• Submitting the same essay for multiple applications

AI and Scholarship Applications:

We’re aware that there are mixed opinions on the use of AI for scholarship applications. Some sources encourage using AI for idea generation, others for all-out writing of college and/or scholarship essays. You’ll find views closer to our own in the linked articles below. In writing your Norlin essays (and other elements of your scholarship application that we’ll have access to) we want to hear from you. 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. Further, our courses require original, creative thinking and they encourage intentional development of written and verbal communication. There is no other way to develop your authentic voice. We aim to create an environment where you can self-reflect, practice vulnerability and build trust. Please keep all of this—and our other essay writing tips—in mind when you apply for the Norlin Scholarship.

More Tips:

Written by folks at the Boettcher Foundation who developed expertise through working with the Boettcher Scholarship process, these videos (below the book) are useful for any student applying for any scholarship. Take a look!