Are you a Computer Science (CS) student with the drive to make a difference and build technology that will help transform the future of our communities? We are currently inviting applications from incoming Computer Science students for our RELATE Scholarship program.
This scholarship program is funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to meet the increasing demand for computer scientists in the workforce. This scholarship program is designed to support high-achieving CS students who are ready to join the community of innovators, leaders, and changemakers at the Ritchie School. Explore eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application instructions below. Enroll in our CS program and get the skills you need to work in growing fields like computer science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
Eligibility
Below are some of the eligibility criteria for the RELATE Scholarship Program.
Be an incoming University of Denver student
Declare a computer science major (BA or BS in Computer Science, Applied Computing, or Game Development)
Be a citizen of the United States
Maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA
Timeline
We will start accepting scholarship recipients in Fall 2026. Further information will follow in the coming months.
Scholarship Info and Requirements
Scholarship Amount
Scholarship recipients will receive additional scholarship funding beyond their normal financial aid package for the duration of their undergraduate degree as long as they continue to maintain the program requirements.
Program Requirements
RELATE Scholarship recipients will need to maintain the following requirements to remain eligible for the scholarship.
Maintain 3.0 GPA
Participate in co-curricular activities such as career success workshops, summer bridge program, etc.
Be available for interviews each quarter to provide feedback on the program
Significant Scholarship Award: The program will provide a four-year scholarship to cover the financial need of each scholarship recipient for the duration of your undergraduate Computer Science program.
Focus on Academics, Not Debt: The goal of this program is to help you persist and succeed academically by reducing your financial burden.
The Ritchie School's structured programs and high-impact educational practices are designed to help you master challenging computer science and mathematics gateway courses.
Early Start Summer Program: You'll get to participate in a Summer Bridge program which is a fun and welcoming pre-orientation. This early start will help you form social bonds and gain academic confidence prior to your first academic quarter.
The Calculus Jumpstart: This jumpstart program will provide you the opportunity to build your skills and meet your math professors and teaching assistants early on.
Cohort-Based Classes: You will be taking the critical first-year courses with other RELATE Scholarship recipients, which helps increase your collaboration skills.
Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW’s): You will get access to weekly, dedicated recitation sessions to master critical concepts in calculus and programming led by a dedicated CS faculty mentor.
The program will prepare you for high-demand, high-paying jobs in the tech industry.
Targeted Career Skills: You'll be able to learn essential professional skills such as:
Resumé writing and social networking.
Attainment of internships and summer research opportunities.
Interview storytelling and mock interviews.
Career planning and life planning.
Paid Summer Research: You'll have the opportunity to apply for the Summer Research Initiative, a paid 8 to 10-week summer undergraduate research experience working with a faculty mentor.
High Job Market Potential: As a Computer Science graduate, you'll be able to enter the job market with in-demand skills and earn more (software developers in Colorado earn over $129,900 on average).
Dedicated Faculty Mentor: As a scholarship recipient, you'll get mentorship from a dedicated CS faculty member who teaches introductory courses. The mentors will meet with each Scholar for course selection and career planning conversations.
Peer Support Network: You will be paired with trained peer mentors at the beginning of the program and eventually you will be a mentor as well.
Community Events: You will be included in monthly community dinners and other social events and team-building activities.
Academic Success Sessions: You'll get access to weekly Success Sessions that help you navigate the university, learn academic strategies, and engage in professional development and networking.
You'll get to meet other students like you who have high academic potential and are pursuing challenging degrees where they can make a positive difference.
Focus on High-Demand Majors: Computer science graduates that are critical for vital, high- demand careers, including software development, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, machine learning, and data science.
Curriculum Focused on Societal Impact: Computer science courses emphasize the profound impact that technology has on society and produce ethical, passionate, graduates focused on making a positive impact on the world.
Get More Information
Are you ready to join the program and learn more about the RELATE Scholarship program? Contact Ritchie School CS Professor, Dr. Scott Leutenegger today to learn more about how you can be a RELATE Scholar.
Go to the graduate admission application to submit your information. For information on admission requirements, visit the graduate academic programs page and locate your program of interest.
