How To Get Free College in Colorado

Students can get free college in Colorado with state-funded financial aid programs that completely cover education costs for residents. Grants, scholarships, tuition assistance programs, and other financial aid options help remove financial barriers and encourage Coloradans to pursue higher education.

Residents who meet certain eligibility requirements can attend in-state schools for free by using federal and state programs that provide financial assistance for qualifying students.

With these financial aid programs, students can earn their degrees at public or private universities or one of the many schools in the Colorado Community College System.

Is Community College Free in Colorado?

State-funded programs help make community college free for some Colorado residents. Students who meet the eligibility requirements can have their tuition costs and other college fees covered.

Additionally, students enrolled in certain training programs within the Colorado Community College System can have the cost of attendance completely covered. This includes funding for tuition, fees, and course materials.

Learn more: How To Get Free Community College

Who Qualifies for Free College in Colorado?

State residents, including those who have only lived in or attended high school in Colorado for at least a year, can qualify for free college. Both federal financial aid and state-funded programs provide opportunities to have college costs covered completely.

Additionally, undocumented students who meet the Colorado residency requirements can receive financial assistance by filling out the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA).

What Is the Colorado Student Grant?

The Colorado Student Grant is a need-based grant that helps Colorado students pay for their education and earn their degrees. Each year, the grant provides students with up to $5,000. The amount awarded is based on financial need, available funding, and tuition costs.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible, students must meet certain criteria. Aside from being a Colorado resident, they must enroll in a degree program. The grant is need-based, so students need to show a need for financial assistance to qualify to receive the grant.

Students must also maintain satisfactory academic progress while in college to maintain eligibility. This is a federal requirement for receiving financial aid, but the specifics can vary depending on the program. Ensuring you meet the GPA and coursework completion requirements set by your college or degree program will ensure you qualify for the grant.

Eligible Institutions

Eligible institutions are limited to in-state schools that provide degrees. The Colorado Student Grant is available at two-year colleges that offer associate degrees. This can include community colleges and technical schools. Four-year colleges and universities offering bachelor's or graduate degrees are also considered eligible institutions.

How To Apply

The grant doesn't require an additional application. The application process is the same as applying for federal aid. To apply, students need to fill out and submit their FAFSA. Doing so determines whether or not they qualify for state funding like the Colorado Student Grant. Students need to reapply with the FAFSA each year to continue receiving the grant.

What Is the Colorado Promise Program?

The Colorado Promise, which begins this fall, provides eligible students with two years of financial assistance. This tax credit program offers funds in addition to other college-specific funding programs and other forms of financial assistance.

Students who don't qualify for full tuition funding have to pay for the remaining tuition expenses out-of-pocket. With this new program, qualifying students at eligible institutions can be completely reimbursed for any tuition costs and fees they pay themselves.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is limited to in-state students with family incomes less than $90,000. Students must live in Colorado for at least a year to be classified as a resident. To qualify for the Colorado Promise, they must be enrolled at an eligible institution and maintain satisfactory academic progress.

To continue receiving funds, students need to meet the academic requirements set by their specific program. This involves meeting GPA requirements, completing the minimum amount of coursework, and continuing enrollment at least part-time.

Eligible Institutions

Colorado Promise program is available at most in-state schools. Eligible institutions need to offer degree or certification programs. This includes community colleges and four-year colleges or universities with associate, bachelor's, and graduate degrees.

How To Apply

Students need to fill out the FAFSA to apply for the Colorado Promise. The FAFSA determines their eligibility for state-funded and federal financial aid. This needs to be completed each year that students plan to utilize these programs.

To get reimbursed, students need to file their taxes. Funds from the program will be included in their tax refund.

What Is the Colorado Pledge?

The Colorado Pledge is a form of financial aid that helps first-time college students cover the cost of attendance. The amount of funding varies depending on family income and is available for all four years of enrollment.

Students with a family income of less than $60,000 can attend college for free. With the Colorado Pledge, they may have their tuition, on-campus living expenses, and other college fees completely covered.

Who Is Eligible?

All state residents enrolled at a Colorado college are eligible; however, the funding requires students to meet certain income brackets that determine the amount they receive.

All first-time students with family incomes under $250,000 are eligible for funding, with lower-income students receiving more. To maintain eligibility and receive the Colorado Pledge funding for all four years, students need to continue their enrollment in classes.

Eligible Institutions

Only one institution is eligible for the Colorado Pledge. It is currently offered at Colorado College, the institution that started the program. Many other schools in the state provide their own forms of student aid, which can be similar to the Colorado Pledge but vary in funding amounts and student eligibility.

How To Apply

To apply for the Colorado Pledge, students need to submit the FAFSA. The FAFSA determines whether or not they are eligible and the amount of financial assistance they qualify for through the program.

Aside from filling out the FAFSA, there are no additional application steps because it automatically considers Colorado College students for funding. The financial aid application process needs to be completed each year that students are enrolled if they want to continue receiving the Colorado Pledge.

Tips for Making College Affordable

Many students don't seek higher education due to the high tuition costs. Aside from the many federal and state-funded financial aid programs, there are additional ways to make college more affordable.

Explore Scholarships

Countless scholarships are available for college students. They are offered through governments, schools, and various organizations. These funds don't need to be repaid and can be combined with other aid programs to cover education costs.

Looking into scholarships related to your field of study, background, and organizations you are affiliated with.

Work Part-Time

Students who aren't accepted into work-study programs can choose to work a part-time job. Working while in school is common among students, but it requires you to manage your time so you don't fall behind in your classes.

Earning money for college expenses can help make earning a degree more affordable. Some state programs even reimburse students for college costs paid out-of-pocket.

Consider Different Programs

Attending a technical college or a community college is an affordable way to receive a valuable education. They offer programs in law enforcement, early childhood education, business, and others. With financial aid programs, qualifying students can even attend for free.

At schools like the Community College of Denver, students can earn associate degrees or get ahead by taking general education courses. Students who plan to earn a bachelor's degree can save money by starting their classes at a community college and then transferring to a four-year college.

Tuition-Free Colleges in Colorado

Students can choose from many in-state colleges to earn a fully-funded degree. These schools make higher education more accessible by aiming to make their programs tuition-free for as many students as possible.

University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is tuition-free for in-state residents who meet the eligibility requirements. Once students complete their financial aid applications and enroll in a program, they will receive funding through federal, state, and institutional programs like scholarships and grants.

Colorado State University

The tuition assistance grant at Colorado State University (CSU) can cover the complete cost of attendance for students who qualify. State residents can take advantage of the funding and receive tuition-free degrees as long as they meet and maintain the eligibility requirements.

Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College covers tuition for students whose family income is below $70,000 and independent students with an income below $50,000.

The funding combines federal and state financial aid and then pays any additional tuition costs that weren't covered, providing students with the opportunity to earn a tuition-free degree.