Student Eligibility

College can be expensive – but Colorado Promise is here to help! 

Colorado Promise offers financial assistance to help Colorado students, and their families achieve their educational goals. If you qualify, you could get up to two years, or 65 credits, of college paid for at any public postsecondary institution in Colorado. The first step is to see if you qualify!  

Colorado Promise does not require any application! Each Colorado public postsecondary institution will determine your eligibility based on the requirements below. If you are a current, or incoming, student please contact your institutions Office of Financial Aid to have them help you learn more about your eligibility.

This page will walk you through:

• Who qualifies
• What you need to do academically each semester 

Part I – See if you Qualify 

Colorado Promise requires you to meet the following criteria to be eligible. Read through each point to confirm your eligibility. 

Qualify for in-state tuition 

• A student must qualify for in-state Colorado tuition. This means a person has established Colorado residency for at least one year.

• If you’re not sure if you qualify as a Colorado resident, please reach out to your institution’s Office of Financial Aid, or visit this website to make sure you qualify - Residency Requirements. They will be able to confirm your classification and help explain if you are missing any documentation to prove you are a Colorado resident.

   

Complete High School After January 1, 2024 

This includes both graduating from high school or GED graduates. 
If you were already enrolled in a Colorado public college in Fall 2024, this rule doesn’t apply to you. 

Start Attending Higher Education Within Two Years 

You must enroll in a Colorado public college or training program within two academic years of graduating from high school. For example, if you graduated from high school in May 2025, you have until the spring 2027 semester, or January of 2027, to attend.  

Complete the FAFSA or CASFA Every Year 

Submit your financial aid application as soon as possible, but before January 15 each year:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens
• Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) – for all other students 

Family Income Under $90,000 

Your family’s adjusted gross income (AGI) must be $90,000 or less. This number comes from your FAFSA or CASFA, based on your tax return from two years ago.

Special note, the FAFSA uses the AGI, from the prior-prior year’s federal tax return, which means the FAFSA uses your household income from the tax return filed two years ago. Check out the section below for more information. 

What's "AGI" and where does it come from?

Your AGI is your household’s total income after certain deductions. It’s pulled directly from your tax return when you fill out the FAFSA or CASFA. Here's how it works:

The FAFSA uses your “prior-prior” year tax return. That means it looks at income from two years before the academic year you’re applying for.

Your income and your parents’ income are included (if you're a dependent student).

So if you’re planning on attending in Fall 2025, your FAFSA/CASFA will use income from 2023. The table below shows key dates associated with each academic year. You can see that the FAFSA/CASFA opens the year before you apply, which drives why the previous year’s tax return is used. 

Academic Year (when you will take classes)	Fall Term (when the academic year starts)	FAFSA/CASFA Opens for Academic Year	Most recent completed tax return
2024-25	Fall 2024	October 2023	2022
2025-26	Fall 2025	October 2024	2023

What if my family's income has changed? 

If your family’s financial situation has changed since that tax year, like a job loss or major expense, contact your institution’s Office of Financial Aid. They will have the most up-to-date information and can walk you through your options and next steps. 

FUN FACT!

Completing FAFSA or CASFA is a good thing for everyone! Not only will it help you to receive Colorado Promise, if you qualify, but it also opens the door to all sorts of other grants and scholarships that can save you money! It’s free and there is no obligation.  

Attend a Colorado Public College 

Any Colorado public institution is eligible. This includes area technical colleges, any of Colorado’s community colleges, local colleges and four-year institutions!  

Work Toward a Degree or Certificate 

You need to enroll in a path toward a degree or credential. You do not need to have your major declared, and it’s fine if you decide to change your major; you just need to be working towards a degree (bachelor's or associate) or a certificate. 

FUN FACT! 

As long as you are under the 65 credit limit, you can complete multiple credentials that will build towards your long-term academic/professional goals or towards a degree. 

FUN FACT! 

Not sure what you want to do with your life? (Don’t fret, you are not alone) Every institution has academic and/or faculty advisors to help you find a major and/or career path. It is completely okay if you need time to find your major.  

Part II-Academic Performance

Colorado Promise recognizes your hard work. If you meet the academic requirements each semester, you’ll stay eligible and keep getting support. Here's what you need to do: 

Start Each Semester with Fewer Than 66 credits 

To qualify for Colorado Promise, you must begin each semester with less than 66 completed college credits. If you are transferring, you need to make sure you submit your transcripts from ALL higher educational institutions that you have attended.  

FUN FACT! 

Credits you earned while in high school (AP, IB, concurrent/ASCENT, military) DO NOT count towards the 65-credit hour limit!  

Earn a 2.5 GPA or Higher Each Semester 

At the end of each term, your term GPA (the average of your grades for that semester) must be 2.5 or higher. That’s roughly a mix of Bs and Cs. 

 

What’s the difference between term GPA and cumulative GPA?

• Term GPA: Just the grades from one semester. This is what Colorado Promise looks at.  
• Cumulative GPA: All your grades combined over time. Your “cumulative GPA” is used to help determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.  

FUN FACT! 

Even if your cumulative GPA drops below 2.0 and you lose other scholarships, you can still qualify for Colorado Promise as long as your term GPA is 2.5 or higher. It’s like a fresh start every semester!  

Complete at Least 6 Credits Each Semester 

You need to pass at least six credits, usually two courses. There is no limit to the number of credits you can take and get repaid with the tax credit (but you should talk to your institution before signing up for 18 (or more) credits, as most have caps). 

If you have questions, check out our Student/Family FAQ, or shoot us a quick email and let us help! ColoradoPromise@dhe.state.co.us. 
The Department takes your personal information seriously, please do not include any personally identifiable information (PII), such as social security number, or date of birth, on emails.

CDHE staff also offer weekly office hours to help answer your questions, Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Book time to meet with Dr. Baccei