Loans and Scholarships

Loans

Interest Free Loans are available to women residing in Colorado who are high school graduates or have earned a GED. These women should be actively working toward a degree or a certificate in any MLHEF Committee approved education track that culminates in a degree or a certificate from a vocational/technical school.

A Borrower may borrow a maximum of $16,000, which is dispersed at $2,000 per semester, and no more than $4,000 per year. On the Application, it asks how much you are applying for. It should be the total amount that you expect to borrow but not more than $16,000.

The Borrower must:
1) Be sponsored by an active GFWC Colorado Club. There are many active clubs across the state. Please see below and contact us to find one near you.
2) Meet with the Sponsoring Club.
3) Submit the completed Application to your Sponsoring Club or online before April 1.
4) Make sure you have 2 guarantors to secure the loan.
5) Ask 2 references to send a letter of recommendation directly to mlhefcolorado@gmail.com.
6) Make sure your Sponsoring Club fills out their Sponsoring Club Contract and submits either online or to their District Representative.
7) Deadline for submitting the application is April 1, for consideration in the committee's May meeting.
8) Then wait to be notified by the MLHEF Committee as to your acceptance or denial.

1) You will be notified by the MLHEF Loan Distribution Secretary. She will send you the Master Loan Agreement to sign and notarize along with your Guarantors.
2) Read the Loan Agreement and Disclosure of Terms very thoroughly and understand your commitment before signing!!
3) On the Master Loan Agreement, you will need to name two (2) people that will guarantee the loan (Guarantors). To be a Guarantor means that they will agree to pay your loan in case you are unable to pay off the loan.
4) You and your Guarantors will need to sign 2 copies of the Master Loan Agreement in the presence of a Notary Public.
5) Send the two (2) original copies of the signed Master Loan Agreement to the Loan Distribution Secretary. It is suggested that your Guarantors keep a copy of the signed Master Loan Agreement. One original copy will be returned to you.

**Please note: **

Repayment begins upon graduation, twelve (12) months following the last disbursement of funds: OR sixty (60) days after borrower ceases to be enrolled in school at least half time.

GFWC Colorado has 10 clubs throughout the state. Please reach out to a club near you.

- Chalets GFWC (Englewood, CO) (eileenstrouse@msn.com)
- Mountain Pine Woman's Club (Parker, CO) (https://www.mpwcparker.org/)
-Southwest Region Woman's Club (Lakewood, CO) (http://gfwc-srwc.org/)
- Woman's Club of Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, CO) (https://womansclubofcoloradospringsgfwc.org/)
GFWC NOCO Larks Club (Ft. Collins, CO)
-Fowler Progress Club (Fowler, CO) (lori.hawley.cfwc@gmail.com)
-MSA Stratton (Stratton, CO) (witzelp@hotmail.com)
- Sorosis of Lamar (Lamar, CO) (ssprout64@gmail.com)
-Woman's Citizenship Club (Alamosa, CO) (https://www.alamosachamber.com/gfwc-womans-citizenship-club)
Granada Women's Civic Club (Granada, CO) (dmelgosa@bresnan.net)

*not currently accepting applications for loans* see above*

****as of 12/2025 we are currently suspending awarding any new scholarships, this will be re evaluated and update 09/2026****

The $1,000 Minnie L. Harding Educational Fund Scholarship is for a female graduating high school senior or current college student continuing their education in either vocational training, community college, a four-year college, or an advanced degree.

For this scholarship the applicant’s history of school/community service will be the primary criteria for award, but financial need and academic performance may also be considered when selecting the winners.

Completed applications must include a complete and signed application form, a short essay describing the applicant’s educational or vocational goals, a short essay describing the applicants community service activities in their community and school, a signed official high school/college transcript sent by the applicant’s school, and two letters of recommendation from counselors, employers, teachers, or community leaders. The transcripts and recommendation letters must be sent directly to a mlhefcolorado@gmail.com from the school or the person writing the letter.

Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be received online or by a MLHEF Representative before the application will be processed. Applications are due by April 1 and scholarship winners will be announced at the Annual GFWC Colorado Convention in May and will be notified via mail of the win.
PLEASE NOTE THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO YOUR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION.