House Passes $1,500 Skills Training Scholarships for High School Students

DENVER, CO – The House today passed Representative Martinez’s bipartisan bill to help graduating high school students afford the training they need to land jobs in good-paying, in-demand fields.

 “This legislation provides a $1,500 scholarship to graduating students for universities and community colleges, trade schools, apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training so they can begin their next step after graduation,” said Rep. Matthew Martinez, D-Monte Vista. “By saving students money as they pursue their degrees, this bill removes the financial barriers that can prevent high school graduates from entering growing industries. This effort will boost our economy, grow our workforce, create affordable pathways to in-demand careers and help students thrive.” 

Scholarship for High School Seniors: SB23-205, sponsored by Representatives Matthew Martinez and Don Wilson, passed the House by a vote of 59 to 4 and would create a Universal High School Scholarship Program to make it easier and more affordable to access postsecondary education and training opportunities for Colorado students.

The program will provide each qualifying applicant with a scholarship up to $1,500 to take to an approved training provider in Colorado, from apprenticeships and on-the-job training to trade school, community colleges, colleges and universities. This transformative financial support has the capacity to serve 15,000 graduating students in the class of 2024, more than 25 percent of all high school graduates statewide.

Scholarships are available to Colorado residents who graduated from a Colorado high school or earned a high school equivalency credential in the 2023-2024 academic year, completes the state or federal financial aid application, submits the scholarship application, and has not received a grant or other scholarship.