| Q: |
What is the
College Opportunity
Fund? |
| A: |
The College
Opportunity Fund provides state-tax dollars to students to
support undergraduate education at public and participating
private colleges and universities in
Colorado.
It is designed to bring awareness to elementary, middle and high
school students and parents that state tax dollars are available
to offset the costs of undergraduate education. |
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|
| Q: | Who is
eligible to participate? |
| A: |
Students who
are classified as in-state residents and taking undergraduate
classes at public and participating private colleges and
universities in Colorado are eligible to participate in the
College Opportunity Fund. Age and income are not eligibility
factors. |
| |
|
| Q: |
When can I
begin using my College Opportunity Fund stipend? |
| A: |
Students can
begin applying the stipend toward their tuition in Fall 2005. |
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|
| Q: |
Can I use my
stipend at any public college or university in Colorado? |
| A: |
Students are
eligible to use their stipends at any public or participating
private college or university in Colorado.
A stipend
may be used at most public institutions in Colorado and at
private institutions where participation is authorized by the
Colorado Commission on Higher Education. However, the local
district colleges (Aims Community College and Colorado Mountain
College) and the area vocational schools (San Juan,
Emily Griffith and Delta-Montrose) are funded differently by
local taxes and state appropriations. The stipends will not be
disbursed on behalf of students attending those institutions.
Additionally, off-campus, extended campus, or continuing
education classes that are not supported by state funding will
not be eligible for stipends. |
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|
| Q: |
Can I qualify
for a stipend if I attend any private college or university? |
| A: |
Pell-eligible students at participating private institutions can
qualify for a reduced stipend. Check back for updates after
January 1,
2005, to see what in-state private institutions are
participating in the College Opportunity Fund. |
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|
| Q: |
Can I use my
stipend if I attend an out-of-state college? |
| A: |
No. In
order for a student to participate in the College Opportunity
Fund, he or she must be enrolled at an in-state institution. |
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|
| Q: |
If I'm already
a student, will I be able to receive a stipend? |
| A: |
If you are
already enrolled in an undergraduate program, you will be
eligible to begin applying the stipend toward your tuition in
Fall 2005. |
| |
|
| Q: |
Is the stipend
retroactive? |
| A: |
No. Students
who are enrolled in an undergraduate program before Fall 2005
will not be eligible under the College Opportunity Fund to be
reimbursed for previous tuition payments. |
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|
| Q: |
How much is the
stipend worth? |
| A: |
The stipend is
estimated to be worth $2,400 for students enrolled at a public
institution and at $1,200 for Pell-eligible students who are
enrolled at any participating private institution. |
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|
| Q: |
Can the amount
of the stipend change? |
| A: |
Yes. The
Colorado General Assembly sets the stipend during its budgeting
process each spring. At this time, the General Assembly has the
discretion to increase or decrease the amount of the stipend. |
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|
| Q: |
How do I apply
to participate in the College Opportunity Fund? |
| A: |
Click here to sign up for the College
Opportunity Fund.
|
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|
| Q: |
Will the
stipend cover the total amount of in-state tuition? |
| A: |
No. The
stipend is designed to increase public awareness that the state
helps offset the costs of undergraduate education at public and
participating colleges and universities. With the stipend
estimated to be worth $2,400 at public institutions, the cost
for undergraduate education will not decrease from today's
current rates.
Students
remain responsible for paying the full cost of tuition and fees,
which may continue to be covered through loans, grants,
work-study, or personal income. |
College Opportunity Fund
