Graduate Programs Community Fellowship

The Graduate Programs Community Fellowship represents an investment by Western Colorado University’s graduate programs in the campus community. This fellowship supports employees and their dependents to pursue continued education and professional development through graduate-level coursework at Western.

This application is for Fall semester. If an applicant is awarded a fellowship for the fall semester only, their application will automatically be considered for the spring award.
If an applicant is not awarded a fellowship in the first-round review for fall semester, a new application will be required to be considered for the spring award.

ELIGIBILITY:
Western employees who have completed at least one year of continuous employment in a benefits-eligible appointment of 0.5 FTE or higher, and eligible dependent(s) of such employees, may apply for a Graduate Programs Community Fellowship.
Eligibility to apply does not guarantee an award.
Admission to a graduate program of study is required before applying.

Fellowship Definitions & Required Documents for Dependents
*Required only if you were not previously awarded a Graduate Tuition Assistance Program (GTAP) fellowship.

Spouse
Spouse Definition:
A current spouse of a legal marriage. A legally separated or ex-spouse is not an eligible dependent.
Verification Documents Required:
A. Most recent Federal Tax return form showing a married filing status. You must include the signed signature page or Certificate of Electronic Filing
or
B. Marriage Certificate and one Secondary Verification Document
Secondary Verification Documents (must be dated within the last 60 days)
Joint ownership of residence or other real estate.
Lease agreement on home or another property listing both names.
Joint Ownership of a motor vehicle.
Utility bill listing the employee and dependent on the bill or two separate utility bills, one listing the employee and one listing the dependent at the same address.
Designation of dependent as primary beneficiary of the employee’s life insurance or retirement benefits.

Common Law Spouse
Common Law Spouse Definition:
A current spouse of common law. A legally separated or ex-spouse is not an eligible dependent.
Verification Documents Required:
1. Common Law Marriage Affidavit
And
2. One Secondary Verification Document

Civil Union Partner
Civil Union Partner Definition:
A current spouse of civil union. A legally separated or ex-spouse in a Civil Union is not an eligible dependent.
Verification Documents Required:
1. Civil Union Certificate
And
2. One Secondary Verification Document
Secondary Verification Documents (must be dated within the last 60 days)
Joint ownership of residence or other real estate.
Lease agreement on home or another property listing both names.
Joint Ownership of a motor vehicle.
Utility bill listing the employee and dependent on the bill or two separate utility bills, one listing the employee and one listing the dependent at the same address.
Designation of dependent as primary beneficiary of the employee’s life insurance or retirement benefits.

Domestic Partner
Domestic Partner Definition:
A current domestic partner in a committed domestic partnership. The domestic partner must share a residence with the employee and have done so for at least twelve (12) consecutive months. A domestic ex-partner is not an eligible dependent.
Verification Documents Required:
1. Affidavit of Domestic Partnership
And
2. Two Secondary Verification Documents
Secondary Verification Documents (must be dated within the last 60 days)
Joint ownership of residence or other real estate.
Lease agreement on home or another property listing both names.
Joint Ownership of a motor vehicle.
Utility bill listing the employee and dependent on the bill or two separate utility bills, one listing the employee and one listing the dependent at the same address.
Designation of dependent as primary beneficiary of the employee’s life insurance or retirement benefits.

Child under the age of 27
Definition:
• Biological Child
• A child for whom there is a court-issued parental responsibility document
• Legally adopted child
• Child of a current same-gender domestic partner or current civil union partner
• Child legally placed for adoption or foster care.
• Child for whom there is a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO)
• Stepchild if the employee and parent are married

Verification Documents Required:
A. Birth or Adoption Certificate
Or
B. Court documents signed by a judge for parental responsibility or QMCSO