Due: February 15, 2027

Notification of Decision: March, 2027

COSLI 2027 Program: June 27 – July 24, 2027

PLEASE READ ALL PORTIONS OF THE APPLICATION CAREFULLY.

(All portions of the application must be submitted via the online platform on or before February 15, 2027.)

Colorado Student Leaders Institute inspires, educates, and prepares high school students to become ethical leaders who demonstrate integrity, personal responsibility, civic engagement, and a lifelong commitment to serving their communities, the State of Colorado, and the United States of America. COSLI develops principled young leaders through challenging educational experiences that foster character, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, constitutional literacy, teamwork, communication, and informed citizenship.

Eligibility Requirements

1.     Students from Colorado public schools (e.g., local school districts, charter, federal) or non-public schools (e.g. private, parochial, homeschool) may be nominated. 

2.     Priority is given to current 9th and 10th graders, but current 11th graders are permitted to apply and will also be considered.

3.     Students who are residents of Colorado at the time of attendance are given priority consideration.  COSLI will accept up to 25 students from states where there is not a governor’s school at the time of the application.

4.     All students must meet the aptitude/achievement and behavior/character criteria as established by the Executive Board.  The Institute is clear that scores on tests and transcripts are only part of a holistic view of student applicants.

Selection Criteria

Multiple criteria are used in the selection process for all Colorado Student Leaders Institute (COSLI) nominees.  It is crucial to understand that COSLI is meant for the student who is an exceptionally curious and excited learner.  Very often, these qualities do not translate to test scores or transcripts, and these students may not necessarily be formally designated as gifted and talented.  Therefore, we weigh the following REQUIRED application components:

-        Required Personal Interest Questions (2)

-        Student and Parent Commitment Statements

-        2 Recommendation Forms & Letters (at least one must be from a teacher)

-        Community involvement, activities, awards, life activity (work) and honors.

-        Scholastic performance as shown on transcripts or attested by teachers.

-        Test Scores (Aptitude, Achievement, EOCs, Pre-Collegiate, state standardized, or other)

-        Secondary school transcripts

Nomination Procedures

The application packet is broken into 7 different parts to be filled out by different individuals. After completing the COSLI Interest Form, applicants are sent the application parts to be completed by them and their nominator, recommender, and parent(s)/guardian(s).

·       Part 1: Student Interest Form – when this is completed, students will receive the full application package, as outlined below.

To be completed by: Student

This section is where students provide contact and basic information for themselves and their parents.

·       Part 2a: Nomination and Eligibility Form—School and Nominator Form

To be completed by: Nominator/School Personnel

The nominator should be a school official, and can be a teacher, school counselor, principal, etc.

·       Part 2b: Nomination and Eligibility Form—Student Academic Information

To be completed by: Nominator/School Personnel

This section should be filled out by a school official authorized to provide test scores and transcripts.  This information is confidential and is only viewed by authorized individuals at COSLI.

·       Part 3: Activity and Experience Form

To be completed by: Student

In this section, students detail their work, academic, academic activity and other experience, as well as honors and recognitions.  This section requires that students provide their experience and briefly answer two short answer questions.

·       Part 4: Personal Interest Questions

To be completed by: Student

This section requires that students answer two extended essays that ask about their personal interests in their state and the larger world.

·       Part 5: Student Identification of Recommenders

To be completed by: Student

This section requests that students provide the contact information for their recommenders, so that we may contact them in the event we do not receive the forms directly from the recommender in a timely fashion.

·       Part 6: Recommendation Forms (2 forms must accompany application)

To be completed by: Recommenders

In this section, two recommenders fill out questionnaires about the applicant.  The nominator may also serve as a recommender.  The student is responsible for forwarding these forms to those who will be completing them.

·       Part 7: Parent/Guardian Commitment

To be completed by: Parent/Guardian & Student

Parents must briefly answer a question about their student’s capabilities and certify that they understand all instructions and requirements.

IMPORTANT DETAILS—PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

·       The 7 parts of the application are divided into different parts and do not need to be submitted in any particular order, but they must all be submitted for consideration. We encourage applicants to review the hard copy of the application prior to submitting their answers online, to ensure the application is properly completed..

·       In the event that you must mail an application, DO NOT fill it out by hand. Illegible handwriting may result in the failure of Colorado Student Leaders Institute to contact you regarding your application status or admittance.  The address to use for mailing an application is:

                                                                         COSLI

                                                                         C/O Celeste Archer

                                                                         1305 Krameria Street, H159

                                                                         Denver, Colorado  80220

·       Please provide an email you check regularly. It should NOT be a school email, this is the email that we will use. We will be sending multiple correspondences regarding your application and admittance status via email. Colorado Student Leaders Institute is not responsible for missed deadlines due to failure to check emails.

·       Upon admittance into the program, you will be required to sign a study agreement stating that you commit to attending the summer program for its entirety. If you sign this document, and cannot attend for any reason other than extreme circumstances, you will be required to pay Colorado Student Leaders Institute $1,000.00. This is to offset the costs of programming that is reserved upon completion of student confirmation.

·       We welcome students of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, as well as students whose first language is not English. However, the primary language of instruction at Colorado Student Leaders Institute is English.

·       COST: Colorado Student Leaders Institute is a Colorado-based program that is supported by private and public funds. The “per student” cost for Colorado students of $3,500 is largely funded through a combination of gifts, grants and donations. HOWEVER, each Colorado student is responsible for obtaining a $500 sponsorship. Your school, school district, BOCES or parents may be willing to pay this fee, but if not, we encourage you to reach out to local officials, businesses, and other sources to obtain this sponsorship. COSLI will provide resources to assist and guide you in this process. We do not want this to be a barrier to attending the program for well-qualified candidates. In extreme circumstances, we will assist you in finding a sponsorship for your spot in the program. Your signature on the study agreement also commits you to obtaining this sponsorship.

·       APPLICANTS FROM OTHER STATES: All students who attend COSLI from a state where there is not a current governor’s school will be responsible for payment of the entire program cost of $3,500.  Out of state students are also encouraged to obtain these funds from sponsorships and entrepreneurial work.  COSLI will provide assistance and information on ways to obtain these funds.  IF OUT OF STATE PHILANTHROPY PROVIDES FOR STUDENTS FROM SPECIFIC STATES, THOSE STATES WILL BE LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE AND ANY STUDENTS APPLYING FROM THOSE STATES WILL BE NOTIFIED (i.e. if an organization from a state outside of Texas gifts funds to COSLI, those funds will be dedicated to students from that state).