The CU Promise Program began in the fall semester of 2005. The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) guarantees that eligible Colorado residents from low-income families will be able to afford the academic costs of a university education without going into debt.
CU Denver offers eligible students a financial aid award package that includes a combination of grants, scholarships, and a work-study job sufficient to fund the student share of tuition, fees, and estimated book expenses. Grants and scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need and/or merit and do not have to be repaid. Work-study is offered to students as a part of their financial aid award. Students are responsible for earning the funds through an on-campus department or approved off-campus agency (student employment).
To be eligible for the CU Promise Program, a student must:
- be a Colorado resident,
- begin attendance as a first-time freshman or transfer student from a Colorado community college,
- have a family income at or below 100% of the federally-established poverty level,
- complete their financial aid application process, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by July 1st,
- be eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant award,
- meet all other criteria (see CU Promise FAQ below)
- be enrolled each term for 12 credit hours or more.
The CU Denver is committed to assisting all students in their pursuit of a university education. Students who qualify for the CU Promise Program may still choose to use student loans to cover some of their other educational costs such as room and board. Students who do not qualify for the CU Promise Program may still be eligible for enough financial aid to cover the majority of their academic costs.
CU Promise FAQ
What is the CU Promise Program?
For eligible students, CU Denver will guarantee a financial aid package that includes a combination of grants, scholarships, and a work-study award (for up to 12 hours per week) sufficient to fund the student share of tuition, fees, and estimated book expenses (as defined by Colorado Commission on Higher Education).
What does "student share of tuition" mean?
An act of the Colorado State Legislature in May 2004 established a new way for the State to provide state tax dollar support for higher education at the undergraduate level. The state is no longer appropriating monies to institutions for undergraduate education, but is providing direct funding to undergraduate students through the "College Opportunity Fund" or "COF." This program is also known as "vouchers" or "stipends." Starting in fall 2005, provided that an undergraduate in-state student applies for and authorizes use of the voucher, it will be applied to the student's university bill. The remaining portion of tuition is referred to as the "student's share" of tuition. ( Additional COF information).
How do I apply for the CU Promise Program?
CU Denver will evaluate the eligibility of all entering students who may qualify based on their completed financial aid application. Students must apply for financial aid each year to continue in the program.
What are the initial eligibility requirements?
To begin participation a student must:
- be a Colorado resident
- enter as a first-time freshman or transfer student from a Colorado community college
- be admitted/enrolled into an undergraduate degree program at CU Denver
- be working on his/her first bachelors degree
- be enrolled full time (12 hours/semester) on the CU Denver campus
- have family income at or below 100% of the federally-established poverty level
- apply for, and meet, all Federal, State and Institutional requirements for receipt of Title IV financial aid funding
- demonstrate eligibility for Federal Pell Grant
- meet all financial aid application verification requirements
- complete the financial aid application process by July 1 each year*
*Eligible students who complete the entire application process and are awarded financial aid by July 1 will be guaranteed participation in the CU Promise Program. After that date, participation will be limited by available funding.
What is required to remain in the program?
To continue to participate, a student is required to:
- continue to meet all of the initial eligibility requirements (including poverty level for any given award year) in successive years
- meet university Reasonable Academic Progress rules each semester, as defined by federal Title IV regulations
What are the family income requirements?
Eligibility for the CU Promise Program is based upon the income reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The parent’s (dependent student) or student’s (independent student) adjusted gross income (AGI) must be at or below federal poverty level guidelines as outlined on the Health and Human Services website at: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/.
How long can a student participate in the CU Promise Program?
A student may remain in the program for up to 10 semesters (excluding summer terms, which will not be funded) or completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
If a CU Promise student loses eligibility after the first year, can the eligibility be regained?
Students who are eligible for the CU Promise Program during their first year of enrollment at CU Denver, who become ineligible in a subsequent academic year (e.g. student fails to meet reasonable academic progress), may appeal to the Financial Aid Office for reconsideration. This appeal must be made in writing no later than the first day of classes for the student's first semester of ineligibility. Continuation in the program is not guaranteed for these students.
How are a student's CU Promise awards affected by other resources, scholarships, or financial aid?
In accordance with federal and state requirements, CU's Promise awards plus other financial aid will not exceed the student’s financial need. Financial need is determined by taking the student’s cost of attendance as determined by the Financial Aid Office and subtracting the expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by the financial aid application form, and any other resources.
Can a student who is not eligible based on income become eligible through the financial aid Professional Judgment process?
Eligibility for the CU Promise Program is based on the actual adjusted gross income as reported on the federal income tax return. Adjustments to income through the financial aid Professional Judgment process will not affect CU Promise eligibility.
What aid is available for a CU Promise student who goes on Study Abroad?
Students who are enrolled in an eligible study abroad program will receive only the amount of funding they would be eligible for if they were enrolled at CU Denver. However, a student may choose to accept a loan to cover additional study abroad expenses.
Will students be notified of their CU Promise awards?
All students who are eligible to participate will receive an official letter informing them of their participation in this program.
Will awards be adjusted for students who change majors during the academic year?
Awards for students who change majors will not be adjusted during the course of the academic year unless there is a change in financial need that requires a decrease in the award.
What happens if a student transfers from one CU campus to another?
The CU Promise program is a CU system program available at all campuses. As long as a student continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the program, the guarantee will be available at any CU campus.
What happens if a student is unable to or chooses not to earn the work-study award?
A student may choose to accept a loan (if eligible) to replace the work component or cover other expenses in the cost of attendance (e.g. room and board, transportation, medical, personal). However, additional grant aid will not be awarded to replace work-study funds.
How is participation affected for a student who returns to CU Denver after a withdrawal?
As long as this program is in existence, a student who withdraws from the university will be eligible for continued awarding upon his/her return in a subsequent semester as long as they meet other requirements including those of the reasonable academic progress policy. Participation will continue in accordance with the rules at the time the student initially entered the program. A student who withdraws and re-enrolls during the same academic year may be re-awarded as funds allow.