Education for Life Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by See the Future Fund

Overview
The SEE THE FUTURE Fund provides scholarships to Colorado residents who are blind or visually impaired. Contributions from ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, staff members, corporations, educators, foundations and other supporters make this program possible. Awards are granted on the basis of scholastic achievement, involvement in school and community service, and demonstrated financial need. Up to $42,000 in scholarships may be distributed. A likely breakdown is: one $12,000 four‑year award, one $10,000 four‑year award, one $8,000 four‑year award, and three $4,000 two‑year awards, though the Selection Committee will set the final number and amounts. In addition to these primary awards, other scholarships may be offered using the same general SEE THE FUTURE application (see the linked pages for details).

Who is eligible
- Applicants must be Colorado residents and submit a complete application by the March 1, 2025 deadline.
- For STF purposes, a Colorado resident is defined as either:
- someone who has lived in Colorado as a dependent for at least one year prior to March 1, 2025; or
- someone who has held a valid Colorado identification card for a full year prior to March 1, 2025.

Educational enrollment requirements
Applicants must be enrolled full time in one of the following post‑secondary programs:
1. Entering freshman in an academic undergraduate program
2. Undergraduate student (sophomore, junior, or senior) in an academic program
3. Graduate student in an academic program
4. Student at a vocational/technical school or pursuing an associate degree at a community college
5. Participant in a certified certificate program (for example, massage therapy)

Vision loss criteria
Applicants must meet one of the following vision standards:
- Central visual acuity in the better eye, best corrected, of 20/70 or worse; and/or a peripheral field in the better eye of 20 degrees or less; OR
- Best corrected acuity of 20/40 or worse in the better eye with accompanying visual field loss and a prognosis indicating further vision deterioration due to the underlying disease process.

Application submission and deadline
All application materials must be emailed to Dr. Theune at twtheune@comcast.net on or before March 1, 2025.

Selection timeline and process
- The SEE THE FUTURE Fund screening committee will evaluate all submitted applications.
- Top candidates will be reviewed by the full Selection Committee.
- Individual interviews may be scheduled if deemed necessary on a case‑by‑case basis.
- Final selections will be made by April 15, 2026.

Award distribution and conditions
- Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient’s post‑secondary institution on a semester basis and spread over the two‑ or four‑year period specified by the award.
- Continued payments require the recipient to remain enrolled full time and in good academic standing.
- Funds may be applied toward tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, and books.
- If a recipient does not use part of their award within one year of selection, that unused portion will be forfeited unless the recipient submits a written request for an extension and the STF Selection Committee approves it.