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Scholarships and Financial Aid

A large part of the mission of the Deer Hill Foundation (DHF) is to fund scholarship awards for students to participate in wilderness and service programs with Deer Hill Expeditions (DHE) who could otherwise not afford the full cost of a DHE program. Awards are based on an applicant’s financial need and the contents of a completed application.

Starting in January, applications are accepted and reviewed in the first three weeks of the month. Awards are offered by the DHF Scholarship Committee before or during the last week of each month. Applications received before January 1 st will be reviewed in January. This monthly schedule continues until the scholarship funds are exhausted for the upcoming summer.

There are two significant expenses we wish to highlight. First, know that you must provide your own transportation to and from the Durango Airport or the Deer Hill Basecamp in Mancos, Colorado. Second, the personal clothing and equipment necessary to live and work in wilderness and service settings is extensive and expensive. To help with this cost, a DHF scholarship award includes DHE Outfitting Store rentals, and some purchasable items, all for FREE. This is explained in more detail in the materials you will receive when you are accepted into a DHE program.

The DHF trustees and all of us in the DHE community are glad that you wish to be a part of a DHE program this summer. We look forward to reviewing your application and to the possibility of welcoming you to the DHE Basecamp this summer.

Eligibility and Selection

Eligibility to receive a Deer Hill Foundation (DHF) scholarship is based on a family’s household income relative to the median income of the area where they live. When submitted, this information remains strictly confidential.

Selection to receive financial assistance through a DHF scholarship is based on the following additional criteria:

The applicant’s willingness and ability to contribute toward the program cost,
The contents of the application,
The applicant’s reference.

Availability of funds and the amounts of individual awards varies from year to year depending on funds made available through donations to Deer Hill Foundation.

Scholarship Application Process

To determine eligibility, fill out the screening form below.

You will be notified by email as to your eligibility determination. If you are invited to apply, we will include the link to the application in that email. Please complete the application in a timely manner.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are notified as promptly as possible.

Please call the Deer Hill office with any questions: 970-533-7492.

Scholarship Screening Form

Contact Information
Applicant's Name*
First Last
Mailing Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Applicant's Email*
Current School*
Current Grade*
Birthdate*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Parent or Guardian's Name*
First Last
Address (if different than above)
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Parent/Guardian Email*
Parent/Guardian Phone*
Second Parent/Guardian's Name
First Last
2nd Parent/Guardian's Address (If Different than Above)
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
2nd Parent/Guardian's Email
2nd Parent/Guardian's Phone
Questions for the Applicant
Note that there are no “right or wrong” answers. We ask these questions to better understand you. We want DHE to be a good fit for you as well as a wonderful experience for your group.
1. How did you or your family hear about Deer Hill Expeditions?*
2.Please tell us a personal story of your choice that you feel tells us something about your character.*
3.What do you hope to experience or to learn in your Deer Hill program?*
4. What personal qualities will you bring to Deer Hill that will contribute to your group’s success?*
5. Which program is your first preferred choice?*
6. Which program is your second preferred choice?*
Financial Information
Please answer the following questions as well as submit your two most recent 1040 tax returns in the space provided.
Upload your last two years' 1040 tax forms here*
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 2 MB.
1. Number of people living in the household*
2. Do you own or rent your home?*
3. Do you own your own business?*
4. Does the applicant receive free or reduced lunch at school?*
5. Household yearly gross income*
Available Funds
Please indicate below the funds that you are able to contribute toward program tuition. DHF trustees encourage applicants to consider multiple sources. Scholarship funds are inherently limited so your portion of tuition enables DHF to support more students. That said, the DHF trustees do not want to create hardship for your family. Mark 0 where applicable.
Applicant Contribution*
Family Contribution*
Contribution from Relatives or friends*
Additional Contributions*
Explanation of Financial Need*
(in your own words … there are no right or wrong answers)
Osprey Packs - Deer Hill Foundation Scholarship

Through a partnership with Osprey Packs, Deer Hill’s neighbor in Cortez, DHF is able to offer one full scholarship for a resident of Montezuma, Dolores, La Plata, or San Miguel counties OR a Native student from Dinétah, Hopi communities, or Zuni Pueblo. Applicants not selected will be considered for partial DHF scholarship awards.
ARE YOU A RESIDENT AS DESCRIBED ABOVE APPLYING FOR THE OSPREY SCHOLARSHIP?
- Yes
- No
Please Read
PLEASE READ * DHF Scholarship Committee and DHE Admissions Manager realize that they are asking for sensitive information. The contents of this application and subsequent correspondence are kept confidential. * By submitting this application, you state that the information you have provided is true and complete. The DHF Scholarship Committee reserves the right to ask for additional information or for substantiation of submitted materials. * If you accept a DHF scholarship award to participate in a DHE program, you agree to allow DHE and DHF to use photos, videos, and/or written materials in which you are included for promotional or fundraising purposes.

Save and Continue Later

“

Deer Hill Family, I just wanted to let you know that I'm so thankful that I got the chance to experience Deer Hill. Thank you all who made everything happen on my mountain biking and backpacking expedition. I'm so grateful that I experienced this and I hope to come back next year.
Trevor, participant