Aurora, CO – The Community College of Aurora (CCA) is excited to introduce a new financial aid model designed to make higher education more accessible: the Momentum Scholarship, available beginning Fall 2026. Developed in partnership with Aurora Public Schools (APS), the scholarship provides full tuition support to new, full-time CCA students who completed at least one concurrent enrollment course through CCA while attending an APS high school. More than a financial aid option, the Momentum Scholarship supports concurrent enrollment students by providing a seamless transition from APS high schools to CCA. It creates a clear, affordable pathway forward and greater peace of mind around the cost of college for students and families.
The second most common reason students leave college is affordability. The Momentum Scholarship addresses this barrier by keeping costs down, helping students build academic momentum, and allowing them to continue their education in the same community where they graduate from high school,
said Clair E. Collins, CCA’s Vice President of Enrollment Success and Completion. Offering this scholarship aligns with three of CCA’s five strategic plan pillars: student excellence, community excellence, and academic excellence. It’s a big investment in creating truly meaningful upward socioeconomic mobility for our community.
The proactive financing model of the scholarship makes it easier for graduating APS seniors to continue their education with confidence. At a time when APS seniors apply for state and federal financial aid at lower rates than peers in nearby districts, the Momentum Scholarship incentivizes Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CAFSA) completion and strengthens students’ ability to pursue industry credentials or higher education. This approach reflects not only a focus on student success, but also a thoughtful allocation of institutional resources to make the scholarship possible.
Approximately $360,000 in annual funding for the Momentum Scholarship comes from CCA’s general budget and is automatically awarded to eligible students—no application required. Collins’ Enrollment Management team devised the financial model to balance the scholarship’s cost with expected increases in state funding. Since the Momentum Scholarship is only available to full-time students, CCA expects the opportunity will increase full-time enrollment, leading to more state funding. It’s an intentional long-term investment in APS students that aligns institutional resources with student success while expanding access to CCA for the local community. Rather than being driven by budget constraints, the model centers equity, access, and sustainability, ensuring the scholarship can support students year after year.
A Community College for Aurora’s Students
The high school class of 2026 is the first cohort with access to the Momentum Scholarship that supports concurrent enrollment. Full-time students are eligible if they completed at least one concurrent enrollment course through CCA while they attended an APS high school. They must also submit the FAFSA and CAFSA applications by Aug. 1 each year. Eligible students automatically receive full tuition payment through the Momentum Scholarship while they pursue their first certificate or degree for up to three years. It’s expected that about 139 students will receive the scholarship when it first becomes available in Fall 2026.
With the new Momentum Scholarship, taking advantage of concurrent enrollment opportunities during high school will truly become transformative for our students,
said APS Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. This new partnership solidifies the educational pathway from high school to higher education. We know the cost of a college degree can be a barrier to many of our students, but this scholarship breaks through that barrier and gives them the assurance they need to chase their career dreams.
APS and CCA share a long-standing commitment to postsecondary education and workforce pathways, and the Momentum Scholarship supports concurrent enrollment. Its existence encourages APS students to pursue concurrent enrollment in high school so that they have access to an affordable pathway to CCA where students are trained for careers in the workforce. That shared commitment extends well beyond the scholarship. APS and CCA partner across concurrent enrollment, workforce development, and career readiness initiatives, including the launch of Colorado’s first Health Science High School. Slated to open in northwest Aurora in fall 2027, the state-of-the-art school will connect students to specialized healthcare pathways through CCA, preparing them for in-demand careers in healthcare.
The Momentum Scholarship is also part of a broader set of regional education initiatives designed to create clear, connected pathways for students. It echoes another recent agreement that guarantees automatic admission to CU Denver for high-achieving APS high school students.
When students choose CCA, they find programs intentionally aligned with current industry needs, including embedded career certifications that prepare them for the workforce. From high school through higher education, this scholarship represents a critical step in a pathway that supports long-term social and economic mobility. With clear pathways in place, students can build academic momentum earlier and carry it through completion.
Current APS high school students can lock in this opportunity by participating in CCA’s concurrent enrollment program. Registration for the Spring 2026 semester begins on Jan. 20. Learn more about the concurrent enrollment program here. Looking to start later? General registration for Summer and Fall 2026 opens March 9.
About Aurora Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. We serve approximately 38,000 students across more than 60 schools. We’re one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. We believe that learning opportunities should be as varied and diverse as the world our students live in. Our dedicated teachers and staff work with our community to break down barriers so that students can engage to their fullest potential. To learn more about how APS is a destination district for Aurora families where students are empowered to shape their own paths forward, visit aurorak12.org.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]