Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF)

The COF is a fund created by the Colorado Legislature to provide a way of distributing Colorado tax dollars to the colleges in Colorado, by creating a stipend for each resident undergraduate student who attends a participating college or university. There is no income qualification, and the students can be part-time or full-time. It is recommended that all students pre-register for this stipend, even before knowing if they will be attending a college in Colorado. The stipend is paid on a per credit hour basis for up to 145 credit hours.

What is a stipend?

"Stipend" means the amount of money per credit hour paid by the state of Colorado on behalf of an eligible undergraduate student who is attending a participating college in the state of Colorado. The specified amount of the stipend per credit hour is set annually by the Colorado General Assembly. The amount will never exceed the student's total in-state tuition rate. The stipend value will be the same given to each eligible student.

In 2017 school year, for residents who attend a participating college in Colorado this is:

$75 per credit hour at participating state universities and colleges.
$38 per credit hour at participating private universities and colleges.

For Example, if a student takes 15 credit hours per semester, that student will receive a stipend in the amount of $2,250 for year (30 credit hours). Students who attend a participating private university receive half that amount per credit hour in stipend funding ($38 per credit hour for the 2017 school year).

Who is eligible to participate?

Eligibility is determined by the type of college you attend. if you attend a participating public college:

Undergraduate students are eligible if they are considered an in-state student for tuition purposes determined by the college.

If you attend a participating private college: Undergraduate students enrolled may be eligible if the college is approved for the program by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and the student:

Is classified as an in-state student for tuition purposes
Is a graduate of a Colorado high school or has successful completed a non-public home-based education program in Colorado
Demonstrates financial need through the student's eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant, or its successor program
Is not pursuing a professional degree in theology
Meets any other eligibility requirements established by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE)