Scholarship Application: 2023-24 Academic Year
ACEC Colorado Foundation provides financial support in the form of scholarships to full-time Colorado college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET)-approved engineering or land surveying program in Colorado. Scholarship checks are awarded directly to the student to use toward any necessary expenses. The current scholarship cycle’s application period is open through Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
2023 Timeline
- Tuesday, Jan. 31: Applications, Transcripts & Recommendations Due (electronic submittal only)
- Saturday, March 11: Finalist Interviews (required availability either in person or via videoconference on this day)
- Tuesday, March 14: Winners & Award Amounts Announced*
- Friday, March 17: ACEC National Applications Due from Eligible Winners Advancing to National Competition
- Wednesday, May 3: Reception for Winners
Student Eligibility For All ACEC Colorado Scholarship
- Available for an interview on Saturday, March 11, 2023
- Entering junior, senior or fifth year in the Fall 2023 (NOTE: Students graduating in December of that academic year are not eligible.)
- Is a full-time student as determined by the university
- Is a US Citizen
- Has an understanding of the consulting engineering profession
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering or land surveying at an Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET)-accredited university in Colorado that conforms to either the Engineering Accreditation Commission or Engineering or Technology Accreditation Commission standards. (NOTE: if selected as one of the top two ACEC Colorado scholarship recipients, a student may advance to the ACEC National competition only if enrolled in an ABET-accredited program that conforms to the Engineering Accreditation Commission standards.)
Available Scholarships (may be awarded based on candidates ability to meet specific criteria beyond aforementioned eligibility)
Leonard Rice Memorial - $6,000
Leo Rice, the son of Lee Rice, along with Lee’s firm, LRE Water, established the Leonard Rice Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship is awarded to an eligible student pursuing a degree in engineering geology, water engineering or natural resource engineering related fields.
Martin/Martin Scholarship - $5,000
The Martin/Martin scholarship is for college students who belong to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in civil, structural, or environmental engineering. This includes but is not limited to first-generation college students, women, Black/African American, Native/Indigenous American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander, Asian, other people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities.
Stoneman Memorial - Varies
This scholarship is in honor of William Russell and Alice Stoneman who contributed the initial $25,000 of seed money that started the scholarship program. The Stonemans believed in the importance of assisting with the educational expenses of future engineers, who ultimately benefit society with their work.
Fu Hua Chen Memorial - Varies
This scholarship was established by the ACEC Colorado Board of Directors to recognize and honor Fu Hua Chen for his lifetime achievement. This scholarship is awarded to an eligible student pursuing a degree in civil or geotechnical engineering.
Muller Engineering | James M. Condon Memorial - $3,000
James was an excellent civil engineer who specialized in transportation and mobility projects.
American Public Works Association Colorado Chapter | Jack Bruce Memorial - $2,500
This scholarship is intended to support the education of students pursuing an undergraduate degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or similar earth sciences engineering. Candidates should demonstrate career interests/experience in public works programs and infrastructure management.
Sandy Donnel Memorial - Varies
Sandy was ACEC Colorado’s executive director from 1981-2006 and was established in her honor for her contributions to the profession. As Sandy believed in giving one’s time to community service, this scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated volunteerism.
Marilen Reimer Advocacy & Public Policy Legacy - Varies
Marilen was ACEC Colorado’s executive director from 2007-2021. This scholarship recognizes her dedication and involvement in government affairs on behalf of the council by bestowing it upon a student who demonstrates an interest in government affairs, public affairs and/or public policy through work/volunteerism in that area (e.g., student government).
ACEC Colorado Foundation Awards - Varies
Beyond the named memorial and tribute scholarships, additional scholarships may be determined and awarded to students on behalf of the ACEC Colorado Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors.
Scoring
- Cumulative Grade Point Average: 20 points
- Essay: 25 points
Essays must be typed. Points may be lost for poor grammar, incorrect spelling, or lack of neatness. Proofread carefully. Describe how consulting engineering firms provide value to their clients and long-term benefits to their community. Your personal interest in and understanding of the engineer’s role in all aspects of the built environment are important and should be reflected in your essay. (i.e., your interest, understanding and commitment to the business and management of the profession are important and should be reflected in the essay).
- Work Experience: 27 points
Work experience will be limited to the last three years prior to the date of the application. List your most recent work experience first and include any jobs held during high school if within the three-year period. Indicate the year in school during which you held a particular position. Indicate if your work experience was in the form of work-study, co-op, or practicum. Clearly identify the nature of the business of the listed employers; in particular, note consulting engineering or land surveying firms. Be complete and accurate. List additional experience on a separate sheet and attach if necessary. The more experience you list, the higher your potential score.
- Recommendation: 15 points
A recommendation is needed from a consulting engineer, land surveyor or engineering professor, who is not an immediate family member/relative. Send a link to the recomendation form (https://bit.ly/acecrec23) to the person providing your recommendation, requesting that he/she complete it for return online no later than Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. (NOTE: a letter is not sufficient; the recommendation form must be completed. Letters sent in addition to forms will not be read.) Greater weight will be given for a recommendation from a consulting engineer or land surveyor.
- Extracurricular College Activities: 13 points
List all college activities under the indicated categories and years. Include offices held and other leadership roles in any organizations. Be as complete as possible. If there are no activities, write “none”. The more activities you list, the higher your potential score.
Checklist
- Complete all required fields of this online application
NOTE: this application is not savable; therefore, it is suggested that you review the questions and prepare/save your responses on a separate document to copy and paste into the application.
- Send recommendation form link to a consulting engineer, land surveyor or engineering professor, who is not an immediate family member/relative.
- Answer essay question
- Submit your unofficial/official transcript with 2022 Fall Semester Grades to email@acec-co.org on or before Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Questions
For questions or further information, please contact Brenda Walters at either brenda@acec-co.org or 720.863.4351.
ACEC National Research Institute Scholarships
Based on eligibility, the ACEC Colorado Foundation Board of Directors will select two high-scoring applicants pursuing bachelor degrees to promote to the ACEC National Research Institute's 2023-24 Academic Year Scholarship Program. A separate and unique application will be required at that time from those promoted applicants.
