Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)
Offered by Colorado Department of Higher Education · Free to apply
Colorado's tuition assistance for the families of public servants killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. DTAP covers dependents of a deceased or permanently disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of the National Guard, prisoner of war, or person missing in action, and it applies at eligible Colorado institutions. It is one of the least visible awards in the state because there is no public application portal: families email the Department of Higher Education directly at DTAP.Mailbox@dhe.state.co.us to be sent the link to the electronic application. That obscurity is precisely why it goes underclaimed. Because the program is administered per institution, availability and amounts should be confirmed with the specific Colorado college the student plans to attend.
How hard is the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) to win?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome.
- Estimated odds
- most eligible students who file early receive it
- Paperwork
- ~2 hrs to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Colorado residents
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Colorado
- Open to high school seniors, current college students, transfer students, and adult learners
- Must be the dependent of a deceased or permanently disabled law enforcement officer, firefighter, member of the National Guard, prisoner of war, or person missing in action
- The qualifying parent must have been killed or disabled in the line of duty
- Must attend an eligible Colorado institution
- There is no public application form: email DTAP.Mailbox@dhe.state.co.us to receive the link to the electronic application
- Not every program is available at every participating institution; confirm with your college before relying on it
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Start by emailing DTAP.Mailbox@dhe.state.co.us, because the application is not published online and the request-and-return cycle takes time.
- Email CDHE for the application link
- June 30, 2027
Does your student actually qualify?
See if your student qualifies in 30 seconds. Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
Common questions about the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)
How much is the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) worth?
The Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) awards tuition assistance at eligible Colorado institutions; confirm the amount with your college and is renewable in later years.
When is the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Start by emailing DTAP.Mailbox@dhe.state.co.us, because the application is not published online and the request-and-return cycle takes time.
Who is eligible for the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Colorado; Open to high school seniors, current college students, transfer students, and adult learners.
Does the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 2 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP)?
This is not a competition, but the funding is rationed: eligible students are routinely turned away once the money runs out, so filing date decides the outcome. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning most eligible students who file early receive it. Plan on about 2 hrs of paperwork.
Is the Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) free to apply?
Yes. The Colorado Dependent Tuition Assistance Program (DTAP) is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- 802 Opportunity GrantFull tuition and the $100 administrative fee at CCV (last-dollar)
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance ProgramVaries by SAI and school type per statutory table (amounts prorated if funding is short)
- Alabama Student Grant ProgramUp to $3,000/yr ($1,500 per semester; actual amount depends on state funding)
- Alaska Education Grant$500-$4,000/yr based on need and enrollment level
- Alaska Performance Scholarship$3,500-$7,000/yr depending on tier
- Arizona Promise ProgramFull tuition & mandatory fees at Arizona public universities (last-dollar)
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.