College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend
Offered by Colorado Department of Higher Education · Free to apply
Colorado routes part of its higher education funding straight to students rather than institutions, as a per-credit-hour stipend paid on behalf of in-state undergraduates. The catch is that it is not automatic, and this is where Colorado families lose real money: a student must create a COF account and separately authorize their college to invoice COF on their behalf. Skip either step and the student is billed the full amount of tuition, meaning their own share plus the stipend that would have been covered. The per-credit rate is set annually by the General Assembly. The stipend is capped at a lifetime 145 credit hours, and students who earn a bachelor's degree while receiving COF are entitled to an additional 30 undergraduate credit hours.
How hard is the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~0.5 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 College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend?
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 classified by your college as an in-state student for tuition purposes
- Must create a COF account by completing the online application
- Must separately complete the COF Authorization step with your college; without it you are billed the full tuition amount, your share plus the stipend
- Must be enrolled at a participating Colorado institution of higher education
- Lifetime limit of 145 credit hours; earning a bachelor’s degree while receiving COF entitles you to an additional 30 undergraduate credit hours
- Students at participating private institutions must have graduated from a Colorado high school or completed a non-public home-based education program
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. Do both steps before your term starts. Creating the COF account is not enough on its own; the authorization at your college is what actually releases the money.
- Create your COF account and authorize your college
- 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 College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend
How much is the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend worth?
The College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend awards per-credit-hour tuition stipend, rate set annually by the Colorado General Assembly and is renewable in later years.
When is the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year. Do both steps before your term starts. Creating the COF account is not enough on its own; the authorization at your college is what actually releases the money.
Who is eligible for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Colorado; Open to high school seniors, current college students, transfer students, and adult learners.
Does the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 0.5 hours on it.
How hard is it to win the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as formula-based, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 0.5 hrs of paperwork.
Is the College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend free to apply?
Yes. The College Opportunity Fund (COF) Stipend 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.