At a glance
Low cost- What it covers
- COF provides a stipend toward tuition for eligible in-state students at participating Colorado institutions. Create the COF account and authorize your college to claim it; no current per-credit dollar amount is asserted here.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
- Income / financial rules
- At public institutions, the listed rules focus on in-state tuition classification and eligible undergraduate study. The private-college branch adds Pell-based financial need and other conditions; do not apply that Pell requirement to every public-campus applicant.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
- Who to check first
- At a participating public institution, be classified as in-state for tuition, apply for COF, authorize payment and take courses that apply to your undergraduate degree.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
- Application timing
- Apply for the COF account and authorize payment with your college when registering. Ask that institution for term deadlines and any waiver or appeal timing.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
Check your eligibility
Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.
How to apply
- 1Complete the online COF application through College Assist to create your COF account.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
- 2Authorize the college to request the stipend when you register for classes, then check that your student account reflects the eligible payment.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
- 3If hours are exhausted or a prior payment was missed, contact the institution first. Public-college students must try the institution’s waiver before the CCHE waiver; payment-error appeals also begin with the institution.As of Oct 16, 2026 · Colorado Department of Higher Education ↗
What to watch for
Common questions
What is the main benefit?
COF provides a stipend toward tuition for eligible in-state students at participating Colorado institutions. Create the COF account and authorize your college to claim it; no current per-credit dollar amount is asserted here.
Is there an income limit?
At public institutions, the listed rules focus on in-state tuition classification and eligible undergraduate study. The private-college branch adds Pell-based financial need and other conditions; do not apply that Pell requirement to every public-campus applicant.
When should I apply?
Apply for the COF account and authorize payment with your college when registering. Ask that institution for term deadlines and any waiver or appeal timing.
Sources & verification
Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.