Addressing Affordability in Higher Education
Colorado provides multiple educational options beyond high school. Our diverse public institutions of higher education offer programs to help you carry out your educational goals, whether they are short-term (like a certificate to jump-start a career), mid-range (like an associate degree), or long-term (like a bachelor’s degree).
Continuing your education beyond high school is an opportunity that all Coloradans should have, and finances should not be a barrier to pursuing your goals. That’s why the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado public institutions of higher education have partnered to share information about institutional programs that address the cost of tuition.
Across Colorado, many colleges and universities have worked to develop Promise Programs, which help remove some of the financial barriers connected with continuing your education after high school. The Promise Programs at each institution promise to cover at least the cost of tuition for eligible students. At some colleges and universities, the programs cover more than tuition. Eligibility for Promise Programs depends on each college or university’s specific eligibility requirements.
This webpage is set up to help you navigate the resources available to you by providing an overview of the eligibility requirements and basic information about each Promise Program at our Colorado institutions of higher education.
How to Navigate
Before you review the Promise Programs different institutions offered, here are some important questions and key facts:
- What is your educational goal? This is a BIG question and it's okay if you do not have an answer but think through some smaller questions.
- How long do you want to stay in school?
- Do you know what you want to study, or what subjects interest you?
- Do you want to stay close to home?
- Free Tools like My Colorado Journey can help you explore educational and career goals
- Program Requirements: Each institution has different requirements to qualify for their promise program and will have staff to help walk you through. Here are some general points to consider and be aware of:
- Residency - Colorado Resident or qualified ASSET
- FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA & help with FAFSA)
- CAFSA - Is an alternative financial aid application for Colorado residents who may not qualify for the FAFSA (non-U.S. citizens) but have lived in Colorado for at least three years before graduating from high school (CAFSA Application & help with CAFSA).
- COF - The College Opportunity Fund, state aid that is based on the number of credits (classes) you take (COF website).
- Family Income - This figure comes from either tax filings and/or financial aid applications and is the federal government's estimate on what your family can contribute to your education.
- SAI - Student Aid Index, calculated by the information provided on your FAFSA.
- Student Type - Some programs are for first-time students (have never taken courses from a community college or four -year), transfer students (students who have attended an institution but are changing to a new institution) or continuing/current students already a student at a community college or four -year.
- Ongoing Requirements - what steps do you need to take to make sure you continue to qualify for the program. Each institution is different, so it is important to ask a staff member (financial aid advisor, admissions counselor, or academic advisor)
Additional Resources – Even if you do not qualify for an institutional promise program, there are other financial resources available. The most important step you can take is to complete your FAFSA or CASFA! These applications are secure, safe and FREE for everyone. Completing these applications will help you gain access to grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial support.
Institutional Promise Programs
Below you will find the compiled programs that Colorado’s community colleges, colleges, and universities have to offer. Take time to explore each institution and find the right fit to help you reach your goals!
If you have questions about a specific institution and/or its promise program, please reach out to its staff (there are links to each institution below)! They are excited to talk with you and answer all your questions!
Colorado Colleges and Individual Institutional Promise Programs
- Adams State University
Institutional Information
Program: Adams Promise Scholarship
- Last dollar program to cover tuition and fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family Income $70,000 or less
- Residency: Colorado Resident from one of the following counties: Alamosa, Archuleta, Baca, Bent, Chaffee, Cheyenne, Conejos, Crowley, Costilla, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Douglas, El Paso, Elbert, Fremont, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Huerfano, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lake, Las Animas, La Plata, Lincoln, Mesa, Mineral, Montezuma, Montrose, Otero, Ouray, La Plata, Park, Pitkin, Prowers, Pueblo, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan, San Miguel, or Teller
- Be a first-time freshman or transfer student
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
- Must complete and receive a Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF)
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Enrolled full-time at Adams state (on-campus or online)
- Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Programs (SAP)
- Pikes Peak State College
Institutional Information
Program: Promise Programs
- Two programs which are dependent on high school district attended
- Harrison District 2
- Colorado Springs District 11
- Last dollar program which covers the remaining costs of on-campus tuition, fees, and books.
Eligibility Requirements for Colorado Springs District 11 Program
- Graduated from: Mitchell, Coronado, Palmer, Doherty, or Opportunity Academies
- Colorado Resident
- Graduated with a 2.5 GPA or better
- Must enroll within 3 semesters (16 months) of graduating from high school
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and authorized COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Colorado Springs District 11 Eligibility
- Covers up to 3-years or 60 credit hours
- Maintain at least 90% attendance rate
Eligibility Requirements for Harrison District 2 Program
- Graduated from: Harrison, Sierra, Career Readiness Academy, Atlas Prep, Aspire Online Academy, or The Vanguard School
- Attended one of the above high schools for at least a full academic year
- Graduated with a 2.25 GPA or better
- Must enroll within 3 semesters (16 months) of graduating from high school
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and authorized COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Harrison District 2 Eligibility
- Annually complete FAFSA/CASFA application
- Maintain a 2.0 GPA
- Complete at least 24 credits each academic year
- Covers up to 3-years or 60 credit hours
- Maintain at least 90% attendance rate
- Colorado Mesa University
Institutional Information
Program: CMU Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition.
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family Income of $65,000 or less
- Colorado resident from one of the approved 22 western slope counties: Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, Delta, Montrose, San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, San Juan, Ouray, Routt, Eagle, Pitkin, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Jackson, Archuleta, Grand, Summit, and Lake
- Member of one of the three Ute Tribes: Southern Ute, Mountain Ute, and Unitah-Ouray
- Students earning first degree only
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Pursuing a financial aid eligible undergraduate degree (certificate, associates, or bachelors)
- Enrolled in 6 or more credits per semester
- Max of 120 credits or receipt of first bachelors
- Maintain 2.0 GPA and 67% credit completion rate
- Colorado Mountain College
Institutional Information
Program: The Colorado Mountain Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family income below $70,000 or independent students below $50,000
- Colorado Residents
- Degree or certificate seeking students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Seeking a degree or certificate
- Enrolled in 6 or core credits per semester
- Colorado State University - Fort Collins
Institutional Information
Program: CSU Tuition Assistance Grant
- Last dollar program which covers base tuition
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Pell Eligible based on FAFSA/CASFA application
- Colorado Resident
- First-time college students or transfer students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Enrolled as a degree seeking student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- Not attempted more than 130 institutional credits
- Maintain SAP requirements
- Colorado State University - Pueblo
Institutional Information
CSU Pueblo’s Colorado Promise Scholarship
Program: CSU Pueblo’s Colorado Promise Scholarship
- Last dollar program which covers in-state tuition for up to 15 credits per semester
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family Income of $70,000 or less
- Colorado Resident
- First-time college students or transfer students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Must renew annually
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- Fort Lewis College
Institutional Information
Program: FLC Tuition Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family Income of $70,000 or less
- Colorado Resident
- First-time undergraduate students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and completed COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Enrolled as degree seeking undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- Maintain SAP
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
Institutional Information
The RoadRunner Promise Program
Program: The Roadrunner Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition and fees up to 15 credit hours per semester
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Family Income of $60,000 or less or expected family contribution (EFC) of $2400 or less
- Colorado Resident
- First-time college student (for family income of <$60k)
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and authorizing COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Annually complete FAFSA/CASFA
- Semester Enrollment
- Enrolled in at least 1 class per term (EFC <$2400)
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester (for family income of <$60k)
- Maintain SAP
- University of Colorado - Boulder
Institutional Information
Program: CU Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition and fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- SAI below 7,000 (EFC roughly $65,000 or less)
- Colorado Resident
- First-time, degree seeking undergraduate students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Degree seeking, undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester at main campus
- Maintain SAP
- University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
Institutional Information
Program: Priority Packaging
- Last dollar program which covers tuition and fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Pell Eligible
- Colorado Resident
- First-time undergraduate students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Degree seeking, undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- University of Colorado - Denver
Institutional Information
Program: CU Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition and fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- Pell Eligible and family income at or below 100% of federal poverty level
- Colorado Resident
- First-time undergraduate or transfer student from a Colorado community college
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Degree seeking, undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- University of Northern Colorado
Institutional Information
Program: UNC Tuition Promise
- Last dollar program which covers tuition and mandatory fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- SAI of 3,000 or less (AGI of $65,000 or less)
- Colorado Residents or eligible ASSET students
- First-time and continuing undergraduate students
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and authorize COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Degree seeking, undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- Maintain SAP
- Western Colorado University
Institutional Information
Program: Mountaineer Promise
- Last dollar program which covers standard tuition and mandatory fees
Eligibility Requirements for Program
- AGI at or below $70,000
- Colorado Resident or ASSET eligible
- New first-year or new transfer student as of Fall 2024
- Completed a FASFA/CASFA and qualify for COF
Ongoing Requirements to Maintain Eligibility
- Degree seeking, undergraduate student
- Enrolled in 12 or more credits per semester
- Maintain SAP