Code of Colorado Regulations
1504 - Department of Higher Education
1504 - Higher Education Commission
8 CCR 1504-9 - RULES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COLORADO OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP INITIATIVE
Section 8 CCR 1504-9-2.0 - Grant Awards for Matching Student Scholarships
Universal Citation: 8 CO Code Regs 1504-9, § 2.0
Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 6, March 25, 2025
2.01 Initiative grant awards for matching student scholarships are intended to:
2.01.1 Generate greater availability of scholarship dollars for Colorado students with an
Expected Family Contribution of less than one hundred percent of the annual federal Pell grant award and students with an Expected Family Contribution between one hundred percent and two hundred fifty percent of the annual federal Pell grant award;
2.01.2 Promote scholarship programs that include student support services to help students persist and complete a certificate or degree in a timely fashion;
2.01.3 Encourage communities to create or leverage foundations that assist their students with covering the costs of higher education and motivate students to graduate and go on to pursue a degree or credential; and
2.01.4 To align tuition assistance programs with workforce development programs.
2.02 Award of initiative grants for matching student scholarships
2.02.1 The initiative shall approve and publicize the total funds available for matching student scholarship grants during each fiscal year.
2.02.2 The initiative shall distribute grants for matching student scholarships to entities committed and able to provide matching funds and not directly to students.
2.02.3 The initiative will award grants for matching student scholarships in Board approved categories during each fiscal year, including but not limited, to: County-based grants, Institution of Higher Education grants; and Workforce Development grants.
2.02.4 The initiative shall require all recipients of matching student scholarship grants to consider the following criteria when determining a student applicant's eligibility to receive tuition assistance: courses of study; commitment to academic achievement; work experience; community involvement; and extracurricular activities. Additional criteria for eligibility of student applicants to receive tuition assistance may be determined and published annually in the initiative's request for proposal for matching student scholarship grants.
2.02.5 Other Permitted Uses of Matching Funds
2.02.5.1 When, from time to time, the initiative is approached by the State or funders interested in leveraging dollars for scholarship programs outside the funding streams outlined above, the Board may approve programs that align with the initiative, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and State goals.
2.02.5.2 Whenever possible, staff will design scholarship projects that expand upon student support grant programs that have been awarded by the initiative.
2.03 Proposal evaluation and review process
2.03.1 Proposals will be reviewed by the initiative staff and Board to ensure they contain all components required by the initiative's request for proposal for matching student scholarship grants. Competitive proposals will be reviewed by the cross-department team.
2.03.2 Each proposal will be scored and reviewed according to a process determined by the Department.
2.03.3 Initiative staff will organize and review all proposals and prepare for review by the cross-department team.
2.03.4 The cross-department team will review all competitive proposals and determine recommended grant recipients and award amounts.
2.03.5 The initiative staff will present final recommendations to the Board.
2.03.6 The Board will make final decisions regarding grant recipients and award amounts.
2.03.7 Entities chosen as matching student scholarship grant recipients will be contacted and notified of grant award amounts.
2.04 The initiative will execute grant agreements with all entities chosen to receive matching student scholarship grants.
2.04.1 All grant agreements shall include the following provisions:
2.04.1.1 Matching funds will be provided on a 1:1 basis for every dollar brought to the table by approved matching partners, except in cases where the board has approved a different ratio through official policy
2.04.1.2 Once awarded, initiative grant funds will remain in the initiative's account until such time as they are to be disbursed for the benefit of individual students receiving scholarships under a recognized initiative program.
2.04.1.3 Designated Matching Student Scholarship awards and matching funds must only be used for financial assistance awarded to Colorado students with an expected family contribution of less than one hundred percent of the annual federal Pell grant award and students with expected family contribution between one hundred percent and two hundred fifty percent of the annual federal Pell grant award.
2.04.1.4 To the extent practicable, grants of tuition assistance must be awarded to students representing rural and urban areas of the state and to students attending public vocational schools, community colleges, four-year institutions of higher education, and research institutions.
2.04.1.5 To the extent practicable, grant and scholarship money may be used for work-based learning.
2.04.1.6 Agreements will include criteria regarding reporting requirements of each grant recipient.
2.04.1.7 Grant recipients are allowed to use up to 5% of the total grant (including the match) for administrative costs.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Colorado may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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