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College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend

Overview

The College Opportunity Fund program provides a stipend for new and continuing in-state students going to college in Colorado. To receive the stipend, a student must apply for and authorize the use of the stipend at their respective institution. The stipend replaces traditional direct legislative appropriations to the state’s colleges and universities. Without the stipend, a student is responsible for the full amount of tuition which equals in-state tuition plus the stipend amount.

The goal of the COF program is to bring awareness to Colorado resident students that state funds exist to help finance their college education and improve access with a particular emphasis on higher education/K-12 linkages and strengthening accountability.

To view the entire CCHE COF stipend Policy, click here.

Applying for COF

Student Eligibility

Public Instiutions

Undergraduate students at participating public institutions may receive a stipend from the College Opportunity Fund if they meet the following requirements:

  • Enrolled at a state institution of higher education
  • Classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes
  • Have applied for and been accepted into the COF program
  • Have requested a payment from the COF on their behalf to their attending institution
  • Are receiving undergraduate instruction
  • Have not exceed their lifetime credit-hour limitation (145 credit hours) or have already completed their baccalaureate degree and are eligible to receive stipend payments for an additional 30 undergraduate credit hours

Private Institutions

COF: 2008 Request For Information

Undergraduate students at participating private institutions may receive a stipend from the College Opportunity Fund if they meet the following requirements:

  • Classification as an in-state student for tuition purposes (CRS 23-18-102 (5)(a)(II)(A)
  • A graduate of a Colorado high school or has successfully completed a nonpublic home-based educational program (CRS 22-33-104.5)  Private institutions may choose to accept the GED test as equivalency for the high school diploma based on Commission policy. 
  • Demonstrate a financial need through the student’s eligibility for the Federal Pell need based program. (CRS 23-18-102(5)(a)(II)(C))
  • Receive undergraduate instruction  and have not exceeded the 145 credit hour limit or have completed a baccalaureate degree and are eligible to receive stipend payments for an additional 30 credit hours. (CRS 23-18-202-(5)(c)(I))

Verification of Lawful Presence

Colorado law requires verification of lawful presence in the United States of all persons 18 years of age or older for receipt of public benefits, including the COF stipend, by requiring the applicant to produce to following forms of ID:

  • Valid Colorado Driver's License or a Colorado Identification Card
  • U.S. Military Card or a Military Dependent's Identification Card
  • U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Card
  • Native American Tribal Document
  • Additional forms of ID are accepted pursuant to the Department of Revenues Permanent Rules for Evidence of Lawful Presence

Applicants must also execute an affidavit stating that they are a United States citizen, legal permanent resident, or otherwise lawfully present in the country pursuant to federal law. 

For all eligibility requirements and details, see the CCHE COF stipend policy.

Credit Hour Limit Waivers

For students that have exhausted their allowed 145 credit hours, there is a possible waiver/extension for current and future semesters.  There are two types of waivers for the 145 lifetime credit hour limitation: waivers granted by institutions and waivers granted by the CCHE.  In order to apply for a CCHE waiver, students must first have applied for and either have been granted or denied an institutional waiver.  For information on institutional waivers, students should contact their respective institutions.  Click here for the CCHE waiver and additional information.   

Credit Hour Appeals

For students that believe a mistake was made in the current or prior semesters’ COF stipend/billing there is an appeals process.  The Department of Higher Education (DHE) will accept billing appeals from students for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend after students have tried to resolve the issue with their respective institution.  For information on institutional appeals, students should contact their respective institutions.  Click here for the DHE appeal application and additional information.

Application Process

Students applying for the College Opportunity Fund can do so online. This process is available through College Assist. After applying for the COF stipends students will need to authorize the use of the stipend when registering for classes at their respective institutions. 

 

Institutional Information

 

 

 

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