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Supporting Students

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) helps financially disadvantaged Colorado students access the skill‑based education and training they need to build meaningful careers and bright futures. We invest in promising students attending Colorado community and technical colleges through scholarships, mentoring, and wraparound support that keeps them on track and moving forward.

CAREER PATHWAYS OUR SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT
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Caring and Protecting Communities

Education

  • Early childhood development

  • Teaching

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Healthcare & Human Services

  • Nursing/Medical Team

  • Medical Technologist

  • Dental Services

  • Home Health Services

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Public Service & Safety

  • Emergency response

  • Public safety

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Building, Moving, Maintaining

Advanced Manufacturing

  • Production & Automation

  • Industry machinery

 

Construction & Engineering

  • Skilled trades (HVAC, Electrician, Welding, Plumbing, Construction)

  • Equipment & operations management

 

Supply Chain & Transportation

  • Purchasing & warehousing

  • Automotive, Diesel, Aviation

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Creating and Experiencing

Design & Digital Arts

  • Production & Broadcasting

  • Lightning & Sound Technology

 

Hospitality, Tourism, Events

  • Culinary & food service

  • Hotel and Events

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Personal Care Services

  • Cosmetology/barbering

  • Esthetician

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Cultivating Resources

Agriculture

  • Agribusiness

  • Environmental systems

  • Animal systems

  • Power & technology

 

Energy & Natural Resources

  • Traditional & alternative energy

  • Land management 
  • Resource extraction
  • Utilities

THE BPI SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Investing in skills. Building futures.

Scholarships up to $5,000 per year for Colorado students pursuing professional certifications and associate degrees in skill-based fields.
 

  • Graduating high school seniors or within one year post-graduation.

  • Minimum 2.5 GPA

  • Colorado resident

  • Enrolling full time in a Colorado community college or state technical school.

  • Demonstrated financial need preferred.

Learn more about how to become a BPI Scholar - Current graduating high school seniors or within one year of graduating high school - Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent) - Plan to enroll full-time at a two-year community college or vocational-occupational trade school/technical college within the state of Colorado for the entire upcoming academic year - Pursue a professional certification or degree in a skills-based field featured in the Colorado Career Cluster Model. This scholarship is not eligible for the Business, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Public Administration Career Cluster. - Certification programs must be a minimum of one semester/term in length and recipients must be enrolled at the time awards are disbursed. Prerequisite courses are ineligible. - Applicants demonstrating financial need will be given preference - Preference will be given to applicants who are first-generation high school graduates and first-generation college attendees - Awards are not automatically renewable

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APPLICATIONS OPEN

​February 2027

Be the first to know when applications open.

OPENING DOORS

The BPI Impact on Colorado Families

Hear from Colorado’s students and families about how BPI Scholarships and support have helped them overcome barriers and build brighter futures.

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