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Otero College Student Boz Zavala Graduates Debt-Free With Help From COSI Scholarship
Description: Boz Zavala, from Rocky Ford, received a Colorado Opportunity Initiative Scholarship MSS as he completed his associate of science degree this year at Otero College. The scholarship made an impact on his ability to graduate without any student loan debt.
Otero College Student Utilizes Scholarship Opportunity
LA JUNTA – Boz Zavala, from Rocky Ford, graduated from Swink High School in 2025 with a full year of college credits, earned from Otero College concurrent credit courses he’d taken in high school and from attending a few classes on the Otero College campus.
Knowing that he was well on his way to earning his associate degree within one year at Otero, Zavala made the decision to finish off his first two years of college by staying close to home and attending Otero College. Helping Zavala pay for his year of college at Otero was a COSI MSS scholarship, (Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Matching Student Scholarship).
Paying for college is high on the list of concerns for almost every student who attends Otero College. Fortunately, since 2019, Otero College has been an awardee of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Matching Student Scholarship program. Providing a match to the state funds allocated in this scholarship initiative have been Otero and Crowley counties. Both county governments were integral partners in this impactful program that has provided funding to about 25 area students each year.
“Knowing that through scholarship support my education at Otero College would be covered, I was able to put financial concerns aside and really concentrate on my academics and becoming involved in campus life. My experience at Otero this past year has been amazing. The small classes have allowed me to develop great relationships with my instructors and through their mentorship, I’ve developed a focus for my academic future that I did not have when classes started last fall,” said Zavala.
Through mentorships with instructors, study skill development, and leadership opportunities, Zavala gained confidence in himself and his academic skills and now plans to enter South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, SD next fall as an engineering major.
When Zavala began classes last fall as a local commuter student, he fully expected to just attend classes each day, then go back home to study and work at his part-time job at the bowling alley. However, before he knew it, he was spending most of his time on campus, studying in the library and becoming involved in several aspects of campus life.
“I quickly realized that college is nothing like high school and there are so many opportunities to become involved in campus life and interact with other students and faculty members. I enjoyed the personal connections I began to make and discovered interests and talents about myself that I didn’t know before,” he explained.
Zavala demonstrated a talent for writing and art that was recognized by his English professor. This led him to being named the editor of the 2026 Chinook magazine, an annual student-driven publication featuring original writing and art from throughout the campus and area communities.
Having developed an impressive grade-point average, he was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and was elected vice president of the organization.
“I’m so glad I made the decision to stay at Otero College to earn my associate of science degree. People really care for you here. There is so much to do on campus for students, and I really felt like all my professors took a personal interest in my success. I feel very prepared to move on to the four-year university and hope to take with me many of the skills I’ve developed this past year. I plan to live on campus at South Dakota School of Mines, so I’m looking forward to getting involved in student life on that campus too,” he said.
Scholarship support for students is a primary focus of the Otero College Foundation. With the limiting of state budgets to higher education, thus resulting in increased tuition costs, the Otero College Foundation is continually seeking opportunities to expand scholarship offerings, either through grants, scholarship match programs or individual donor support.
To learn more about ways to support the fundraising efforts for scholarships, click on the following link or scan the QR code to donate online.
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