New Scholarship Initiative Expands Support For Students on the Path to a Bachelor’s Degree
Initiative pairs financial supports with holistic student services to help more Coloradans get a bachelor’s degree
Denver, Colo. – Today, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI), announced the expansion of the Accelerated Study in Academic Programs (ASAP). The ASAP model is designed to provide students with comprehensive financial, academic, and personal support to help them complete a degree. Through the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives and a multi-year $20 million philanthropic partnership, CDHE is proudly expanding this initiative to serve bachelor’s degree-seeking students.
The more than $5 million investment includes a grant from Arnold Ventures, a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based policy solutions. Arnold Ventures' funding is matched dollar-for-dollar by the State of Colorado and institutional funds. With this investment, COSI will work with Adams State University and the University of Northern Colorado to expand its implementation of the ASAP model originally developed by the City University of New York (CUNY).
“This effort will provide Colorado students with more help to pursue higher education, and strengthen both our economy and future workforce. Connecting students to the skills and training to get good-paying and in-demand jobs is important for each student and our state's future. These investments do just that, expanding access for more Coloradans to get the skills for a strong future career,” said Governor Jared Polis.
ASAP is a comprehensive, evidence-based degree completion program that integrates proactive advising and structured academic support to help students succeed, with assistance to remove financial barriers. Colorado’s expansion embraces the mechanics of the CUNY model to double institutional completion rates and expand proven practices.
“ASAP represents an opportunity to bring proven student success strategies to more learners across Colorado,” said JB Holston, executive director of CDHE. “By increasing degree completion, strengthening our workforce pipelines and advancing educational attainment in higher education, we are helping students unlock long‑term educational and economic opportunity.”
The COSI ASAP expansion enables institutions to bring these successful interventions to more students, amplifying their impact on degree completion and long‑term student success.
"Colorado is setting an example for what's possible when state leaders commit to scaling evidence-based programs and we look forward to partnering with CDHE and COSI to bring this rigorously evaluated model to more students across the state," said Justin Milner, executive vice president of Evidence & Evaluation at Arnold Ventures.
Adams State University President David Tandberg, Ph.D., said the generous investment by Arnold Ventures and the match by the State of Colorado not only boosts student success but also demonstrates their worth. “Providing students additional assistance not only helps financially, but it also spreads the belief that they are both capable and deserving of reaching their potential and realizing their dreams. A message some of these students haven't always received.”
“We’re grateful to the Governor’s Office and the Colorado Department of Higher Education for selecting UNC to help lead this innovative COSI initiative,” said President Andy Feinstein. “This partnership strengthens our shared commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting student success across Colorado.”
About the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative was created with the Colorado Department of Higher Education to increase the attainment of postsecondary credentials and degrees for underserved students in Colorado. The project addresses this challenge in two ways: accessibility and affordability. To increase accessibility, COSI funds programs that will help prepare students for postsecondary education, as well as support them through completion. To increase affordability, COSI provides matching funds for community scholarships.
About Arnold Ventures
Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change and bipartisan policy reforms, AV works to improve the lives of American families, strengthen communities, and promote economic opportunity.
About Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives
The State of Colorado and Arnold Ventures are working with Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy and Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative to identify, scale, and sustain proven programs, such as ASAP, as part of the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives.
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