loans and scholarship information

• 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. 

not currently accepting applications for scholarships please check back in 2027