Enrolling in college and applying for financial aid can be so overwhelming that many students feel they need a Ph.D. just to fill out all the forms.

But in the Denver Public System, students are enjoying the process.

That's impressive, considering many Denver Public School students never considered college. Most of them assumed it was too expensive or they would not be accepted.

"Some of them are young people who have not had any family members go to college," said Dr. Dean Prina, a local pediatrician who volunteers for the Denver Scholarship Foundation.

The foundation is responsible for college resource centers called "Future Centers" in 12 Denver public high schools.

"The Future Center for me has a done a lot. When I came here to West (High School), I didn't know much about college or how to apply, or financial aid or anything," said Shayleen Garcia, a junior at Denver's West High School.

Now Shayleen cannot wait to go to college to become a pediatrician.

"There is research that says the lack of information about financial aid and financial options is one of the main reasons low-income students won't even attempt to pursue their post-secondary degree," said Denver Scholarship Foundation Deputy Director Nate Easley.

In fact, before the "Future Centers" came about, a study found ninth-graders entering DPS only had a 9 percent chance of graduating from college.

"These kids are given hope, when in many instances they began their high school years having no idea they would be going to college," said Prina.

Prina has a passion for education. He volunteers for the Denver Scholarship Foundation and has helped it make major strides in fundraising.

"So far we are slightly over $1 million raised because of his efforts," said Easley.

That kind of money helps students just like Shayleen.

"Last year we funded about 712 scholars across the state of Colorado to the tune of about $2.6 million," said Easley.