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Colorado vs Virginia: Scholarship Climate 2026

Which climate fits best? Colorado offers higher average awards and a greater number of opportunities, making it suitable for applicants seeking substantial financial support. Virginia, while having more grants, provides lower average award sizes, appealing to those who may prioritize quantity over amount.

State vs State

State A

Colorado

State B

Virginia

Quick comparison

MetricColoradoVirginia
Active scholarships in catalog74126
Avg. award (where known)$4,183$2,836
Max indexed award$64,000$20,000

Financial Aid Overview for 2026

In 2026, Colorado presents a robust scholarship climate with an average award size of approximately $4,321 and a total of 62 grants available. The maximum award can reach up to $64,000. Notable institutions include the Morgan Community College Foundation and the Medical Group Management Association, which contribute significantly to the funding landscape.

Conversely, Virginia offers a different dynamic with a total of 91 grants but a lower average award size of about $2,890, with a maximum of $20,000. The Southeast Virginia Community Foundation stands out as a key player in the state's scholarship offerings.

Top Scholarship Providers in Colorado

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Top Scholarship Providers in Virginia

Ranked by number of active scholarships

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Scholarship climate by state

Colorado

Colorado has a vibrant scholarship environment with higher average awards and a variety of funding sources.

Virginia

Virginia provides a larger number of grants but with lower average funding amounts, appealing to applicants who may need multiple smaller awards.

Public reference data

Cost of living & wages

State-level affordability context to complement scholarship climate above - not ScholarshipTop grant totals.

Visual comparison

Colorado

Median household income

$94,510

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,321

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

23.86/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$59,800

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 41.18 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

lower indicator band

SVI counties

64

ADI counties

63

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 64 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 63 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Virginia

Median household income

$99,592

Census ACS

Fair market rent (2BR)

$1,079

HUD monthly estimate

Living wage

22.49/hr

Single adult, MIT model

BLS median wage

$55,690

State occupational estimate

Reported violent crime rate (state aggregate): 18.35 per 100k population. Public safety context is based on aggregate state-level public data - not a safety rating.

Public planning context

Community indicators vary by county and are included only as public planning context. Use this alongside scholarship amount, school cost, and living expenses - not as an eligibility rule.

CDC SVI band

middle indicator band

ADI band

middle indicator band

SVI counties

133

ADI counties

133

  • CDC SVI county data is available for 133 counties; county indicators vary and are best used as public planning context.
  • ADI block-group data is available across 133 counties; local conditions can vary within the same state.

Sources: Census ACS, HUD FMR, MIT Living Wage, BLS OEWS, and public reference datasets where available. Rent figures may reflect metro or state averages.

Public safety context uses aggregate public data and is included only as planning context.

Reference only - not ScholarshipTop eligibility rules or guarantees.

Data availability varies by school, city, state, and source year.

FAQ

What is the average scholarship amount in Colorado?
The average scholarship amount in Colorado is approximately $4,321.
How many grants are available in Virginia?
Virginia has a total of 91 grants available for applicants.
Which state has higher maximum scholarship awards?
Colorado has a higher maximum scholarship award of $64,000 compared to Virginia's $20,000.
What are some top scholarship providers in Colorado?
Top scholarship providers in Colorado include the Morgan Community College Foundation and the Medical Group Management Association.
Is it better to apply for many smaller scholarships or fewer larger ones?
This depends on your financial needs; Colorado offers larger awards, while Virginia has more grants available.

Sources and official pages

Official and high-authority pages used to support this State vs State comparison.

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