Apply for the Scholarship

Scholarship Criteria

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD, A STUDENT MUST:

• plan to or be enrolled at Colorado Mesa University or Western Colorado Community College
• self-identify as LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer)
• be enrolled full time and shall have and maintain a 2.5 GPA;
• be a resident from one of these western Colorado counties: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Eagle, Garfield, Grand, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Jackson, Lake, La Plata, Mesa, Moffat, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Routt, Rio Blanco, San Juan, San Miguel, or Summit;
• demonstrate financial need;
• agree to meet with the representatives of the Basinger Scholarship Committee if selected for an award;

Applicant Essay Instructions

Jeffrey Basinger died in 2018 and this scholarship honors his work and memory.  Basinger was a long-time resident in Grand Junction and an activist and health educator. In 1992, Basinger helped to found the Common Decency Coalition (later Western Equality), the first LGBTQ+ rights organization in western Colorado. As a gay man living with HIV, he also was a tireless advocate for people living with HIV/AIDS helping to found the Western Colorado AIDS Project. We ask that you keep Basinger’s legacy in mind as you respond to one of the following in a short essay.

• People living in the LGBTQ+ communities, or those who live with HIV/AIDS, continue to face stigma. In an essay, lay out some strategies to help reduce this stigma.
• When you think about the future, what does it look like? If you choose this option, make sure to directly address the issues faced by LGBTQ+ individuals or communities.

Applications are processed by the CMU Foundation. To apply, complete the general application and the supplemental application where you will complete the essay portion.

Select the Jeff Basinger Leadership Scholarship