SCHOOL FUNDING + SCHOLARSHIPS
“The dream of opening opportunities to student travel is magic. We must appreciate the impact it has on their lives and how it can reform education.”
The Levels of Intercultural Immersion will be used to assess applications.
Our mission is to advocate for and financially support immersive K-12 student educational travel, whether local, national, or international.
Overview: Scholarships are given to a set number of individuals and a set number of groups each year.
Eligibility*:
INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP (starting in March 2025): Any individual DPS high school* student in good standing (2.5 cum or above GPA). Travel (national or international) must be completed while the student is in high school.
GROUP SCHOLARSHIPS (starting in Fall 2025): Any DPS middle school or high school* group. Travel (national or international) must be completed while the students are still in middle or high school.
*Eligible DPS Schools: traditional, magnet/specialized, and innovation schools in DPS. Ineligible schools in DPS are charter or alternative schools. Eligibility is subject to change.
Role of the School: We believe in the care and leadership of schools and educators. Therefore, scholarship checks are given to the school for money management and distribution.
Application Assessment: All applications are reviewed and scored based on this chart. Questions will be focused on intercultural goals, trip planning and learning outcomes (project), active learning activities, deep immersion elements, and trip cost-effectiveness and management.
Definition of Intercultural: Relating to, involving, or occurring between two or more cultures. Intercultural education nurtures the following characteristics: being open-minded, being tolerant, having empathy, being able to change perspective, being linguistically proficient, having an optimistic attitude, and having good communication and leadership skills.
Important Notes:
The DCIS Foundation is not involved with any aspect of trip development; we focus solely on fundraising.
Scholarship amounts vary per year and are dependent on fundraising and the application assessment score. Not all individuals or groups that apply will get a scholarship.
Individual Travel Scholarships for DPS High School Students.
Individual Travel Scholarships | $1000 ea.
The DCIS Foundation will offer a set number of Individual Scholarships for DPS high schoolers each year. Eligible DPS Schools: traditional, magnet/specialized, and innovation schools in DPS. Ineligible schools in DPS are charter or alternative schools. Eligibility is subject to change. Scholarship winners will receive $1000. This application window is open once a year in the early spring.
Process: Students work with their parents, teacher, counselor, or school travel director to evaluate travel vendors, costs, and options. Together, they create a travel plan, budget, and personal goals. Scholarship winners are selected based on the merit of their application. Students looking for vendor ideas can refer to our RESOURCES & INSIGHT page.
Travel Level: ADVANCED. These students take responsibility for planning, fundraising, and travel logistics while gaining confidence, self-reliance, critical intercultural skills, and a well-rounded, thoughtful perspective. This application is not for groups, it is only for individual students doing educational travel via a vendor (e.g. CIEE, study abroad, etc.) and traveling alone.
Spring 2025 Application Portal Opens: March 24 - April 21, 2025 (Interviews in late April; Awards given at the annual Gala on April 26, 2025)
Application Preparation: The application (purple button below) includes the following sections: 1) Instructions, 2) About the DCIS Foundation short video, 3) Student Information (you’ll attach a PDF of your transcript), 4) Trip Information, 5) Budget, 6) Student Essay (see question and format requirement below; you’ll attach a PDF), 7) Letter of Recommendation (see purple button form below), and 8) Travel Agreement. Note: After submitting your application, you will receive an email notification and can make changes anytime before the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Essay questions prompt: What are your hopes and aspirations for this trip? How do you believe this experience will shape your future goals? FORMAT: one-page, typed, double-spaced, 12-point type, saved as a PDF and attached to your application.
Group Travel Scholarships (Available Starting Fall 2025)
Group Travel Funding for Grades 6-12.
Process: Teachers actively collaborate with their students to develop group journeys that connect with specific curriculum goals. Group scholarship winners will receive between $1,000 - 10,000/group. Schools and students can refer to our RESOURCES & INSIGHT page for ideas. Starting in the Fall of 2025, an online TOOLKIT for developing DIY group trips will be available for schools to assist with developing DIY trips. This application window is open once a year in the fall.
Travel Level: INTERMEDIATE. These students get experience planning and traveling while learning about cultures, traditions, history, and people.
Fall 2025 Application Portal Opens: October 7 - October 28, 2025 (Group interviews for finalists in December; Awards given in January)
This group of DCIS Fairmont students are enjoying the Denver Aquarium as part of their Elementary School Funding grant.
Elementary School Funding (DCIS Fairmont only)
Teachers at DCIS Fairmont can apply for funding for local student excursions. These include visits to local museums, programs, nature parks/exhibits, themed overnights, and special events. All programs have an educational and intercultural aspect and tie to the curriculum or a class project.
Travel Level: BEGINNER. These young students get their feet wet being away from school and home, learning about new people and places, and gaining basic independence.
Spring 2025 Application Portal Opens: March 24 - April 21, 2025, Awards given in early June
“This trip changed my life. I hadn’t been away from my family before but studied Italian for six years. I did a homestay, practiced my Italian, and actually lived in a place I had learned so much about in my classes. It was life-changing. I hope to study abroad in Italy while in college.”
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