The College Opportunity Fund (COF) at Colorado State University

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APPLY NOW - The application is required and is available on the College Access Network website: cofweb.cslp.org/cofapp

The College Opportunity Fund provides state-tax dollars to colleges and universities on behalf of eligible undergraduate students. The Fund was created by an Act of the Colorado State Legislature in May 2004 to heighten awareness that state tax dollars are used to offset the costs of undergraduate education.

Am I eligible to participate?
If you are classified as a Colorado resident for tuition classification purposes (see http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/index.aspx) and taking undergraduate classes at Colorado State University, you are eligible to apply for the stipend. If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate program, the stipend will be applied toward your tuition beginning in Fall 2005 if you have completed the application through the College Access Network and have authorized the University through RAMweb to request the stipend on your behalf.

How do I apply to participate in the College Opportunity Fund?
The application is available on the College Access Network website: cofweb.cslp.org/cofapp.

How much is the stipend worth?
Currently the stipend is estimated to be worth $92 per credit for the 2008-2009 academic year.

How many credit hours will be paid for by the stipend?
The law creating the College Opportunity Fund caps a student's stipend at 145 credit hours. Waivers to the 145-hour cap may be granted by Colorado State University or by the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Can the amount of the stipend change?
Yes. The Colorado General Assembly will set the stipend during the budgeting process each spring for the next academic year. However, if there is a shortage during the academic year the Colorado General Assembly will decide what the appropriate stipend credit will be.

Will a check or voucher be sent to me?
No, the College Opportunity Fund stipend goes directly to your student account at Colorado State.

How will I know that Colorado State received my stipend?
The stipend will be applied to your in-state tuition costs and printed on your student account billing statement.

Will the stipend cover the total amount of in-state tuition?
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. The stipend replaces the current funding method which provides funds directly to an institution. With the stipend estimated to be worth $2,760 at public institutions, the student's estimated share of tuition for undergraduate education will not decrease from the current rates. Students remain responsible for paying the full cost of tuition and fees, which may continue to be covered through grants, work-study, loans, or personal resources.

Example of Tuition and Fees/College Opportunity Fund Calculation

Based on estimated tuition and fees for 2008-2009, this is an example of the student's estimated share of tuition for the year.

Estimated Base In-state Tuition (mininum 15 credits) $7424
Minus estimated College Opportunity Fund stipend ($2760)
Estimated Fees - Does NOT include charges for Technology or Special Course Fees $1378*
Student's estimated share of in-state tuition and fees $6042**

* For specific Tuition and Fees information go to the Registrar's web site.
**This amount can be paid with personal funds or financial aid.

What will the stipend cover and what am I responsible to pay?
You will be charged the total in-state tuition minus the stipend paid by the College Opportunity Fund and minus any financial aid awards. Your University bill will show the total in-state tuition charged to you, the amount paid by the College Opportunity Fund and the portion for which you are personally responsible.

How do I authorize the stipend?
Every semester you must authorize the University to request the stipend on your behalf through RAMweb. However, if you complete the Lifetime Authorization form (visit RAMweb), you do not have to provide authorization again.

What is the census date for a course?
The course census date is the end of the published course add/drop period. The length of the course determines the census date for the course, with exceptions for restricted classes. In general, if you cannot add the course through RAMweb, the census date for the course has passed. For additional information go to the Registrar's website.

RAMweb will not let me add a course. The Registrar’s Office can add my course. Can I receive my College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend for this course?
No. The Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE), the State regulatory body for COF, prohibits payment of a COF stipend for any course added, for any reason, after the census date. You are responsible for full tuition and fees associated with that course.

Check your schedule on RAMweb before the end of the course add/drop period to ensure that you are registered for all of the courses you are attending.

What if I exceed the lifetime 145 credit hours allowed and have not received my undergraduate degree?
You will be eligible for an institutional waiver. Institutional waivers are granted for a maximum of one year. Institutions may grant a limited number of waivers in each academic year. According to Colorado statute, priority for waivers must be given to students seeking job retraining, and students who have PSEO/Fast Track courses.

After university census (course add/course drop) for the term, the university will identify those students eligible for an institutional waiver. No application is necessary. If selected to receive the waiver, you will be notified by email. Waivers will be granted to students eligible and on track to receive their degree.

Is there an application I need to complete for the institutional waiver?
No

How long is the waiver good for?
12 months

Who shall I contact if I have questions?
Student Financial Services. You can also email your questions by going to sfs.colostate.edu and selecting "E-mail a Counselor."

What if I have received an institutional waiver for one year and still have not completed my undergraduate degree?
You are eligible to apply to the State for a waiver for specific circumstances. Visit the website at www.highered.colorado.gov and select "Learn about COF" and "Credit Hour Limit Waivers."

Can I receive my COF stipend for a course that I am auditing?
No. DHE prohibits any institution from requesting a COF stipend on your behalf for any course receiving a grade of Audit.

Can I receive a COF stipend for a Repeat/Delete course?
Yes. However, if you received a COF stipend for this course in a prior semester (fall 2005 forward) the number of COF eligible credits at the State will still be reduced by both the Deleted course and the Repeated course.

How is study abroad treated for COF?
Colorado State University study abroad and exchange programs are NOT eligible for COF funding. This includes short-term study abroad programs offered through the Division of Continuing Education. The credit earned through study abroad is not counted towards the 145 lifetime hours limit on COF eligibility.

The last update to this page was June 13, 2008.

Online Resources

For information on using the College Opportunity Fund at other state institutions, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education online.