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Living in Colorado has a lot of perks - and when it comes to getting a
college education, this is a big one. I'm talking about the College Opportunity Fund.
For Colorado residents, the state pays a portion of students' tuition at all
public institutions and some private institutions.
Now, this is different than financial aid. It's a form of direct funding - not a loan.
As long as you're a Colorado resident you're eligible for the College
Opportunity Fund regardless of your federal financial aid eligibility.
So what do you need to know about the College Opportunity Fund?
First, to get this stipend, you'll need to apply.
We'll go over that in a moment.
Second, when you apply for the College Opportunity Fund, also called COF,
you create an account that allows you to use the stipend for
145 credit hours of course work toward an undergraduate degree.
Third, you only have to apply for COF once, but you must authorize the use of
COF funds at each school you attend - and you'll need to do that each semester.
At FRCC you can do that through your online student account
when you register for classes.
Remember, you must apply for COF, you must authorize COF at each school you attend and
COF is good for 145 undergraduate credit hours. And you'll need to do that each semester.
So, to apply for the College Opportunity Fund, go to www.frontrange.edu/cof
There, we walk you through the steps to apply for the stipend on the
College Assist website, and we link you right to the COF website.
There, click "Apply for a Stipend" and enter your information into the
short 3 page application. It should take about five minutes to complete.
If you think you've already applied for COF, you can enter
your information on the first page of the application.
When you click "Continue," you'll receive a message saying you're already on file.
Remember, once you authorize your COF funding in your FRCC student account,
it may take two to three days for COF to apply to your billing statement.
Alright, you're ready to apply for the College Opportunity Fund stipend.
Let's review a few key points.
First, what is the College Opportunity Fund?
The College Opportunity Fund offers stipends to undergraduate students,
paying a portion of your total in-state tuition at participating private institutions and
any public institution in the state, including Front Range Community College.
Remember this is only a portion of your your in-state tuition and
you must be a Colorado resident to be eligible.
Next question.
So, is COF financial aid?
No. The College Opportunity Fund isn't financial aid and it isn't a loan.
It's direct funding applied by the state to reduce your in-state tuition.
If you receive financial aid, that will be applied after COF reduces your tuition bill.
You're eligible for COF just for being a resident of Colorado.
OK. There are a few things to remember about COF.
Do you know what they are?
One: You must apply for the College Opportunity Fund.
You won't get it automatically.
Two: You only have to apply for COF once, but you need to authorize the use of COF funds each semester.
You can do that through your online student account.
Three: COF is good for 145 undergraduate credit hours.
Last question.
Where do you go to start the COF application process?
Visit www.frontrange.edu/cof From there you can go directly to the
College Opportunity Fund website and start the process.
So, we're done done with this step.
Once you finish applying for the College Opportunity Fund, you're ready to apply for financial aid.