College Opportunity Fund (COF)
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Step 4: Authorize COF |
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For Undergraduate In-State Students Only: Beginning fall 2005, the Colorado State Legislature established a new way to provide state tax dollar support for higher education at the undergraduate level. This method of funding is the College Opportunity Fund (COF), which applies only to undergraduate students paying resident (in-state) tuition. This is not an automatic process. You must complete the following steps or you will be responsible for paying the total in-state tuition, including the portion that would have been covered by the College Opportunity Fund. View the current COF voucher amount (on the tuition tables) 
to see how much of your tuition will be covered by COF. Also see How COF Applies to You for important information.
Apply - Step 1
To apply for COF go to https://cof.college-assist.org/COFApp/. This is a one-time application.
Students qualifying for COF through the ASSET Bill need to complete the paper application, go to:
http://cof.college-assist.org/COFApp/PDF/COFPaperApplication.pdf
For additional information, see the Frequently Asked Questions about COF.
Authorize - Step 2
Once you've applied for COF, you’ll be asked to authorize CU access to these funds. If you select lifetime authorization you will not have to perform this step again at CU Boulder, unless you wish to revoke that authorization. Alternatively, you may elect to authorize and use of the funds for one term only; this choice requires that you return every term to re-authorize CU access to your COF funds. If you select term authorization, or you refuse authorization for a term, you may select lifetime authorization in a future term. If you choose not to authorize COF for a term, or you revoke your lifetime authorization, the COF stipend will NOT be credited toward your tuition and fees for that term, or for any future terms. (NOTE: If you register for courses before you apply for COF, you’ll need to come back to web registration approximately 48-72 hours after you apply and select the COF Authorization tab and follow the instructions in order to have the COF stipend applied to your tuition and fee bill for the term.)
To Authorize your Courses for COF
- Eligible undergraduate in-state students will be prompted upon course registration to authorize for COF. It is recommended students choose "Lifetime Authorization" so these steps do not have to be repeated each semester.
- If student is COF eligible but they have NOT yet applied through College Assist, an informational message will direct potential applicants to the College Assist website.
- If student is COF eligible and they have already been approved through College Assist, a COF Authorization/Review prompt will happen automatically during registration. Again, it is recommended students choose "Lifetime Authorization" so authorization does not need to be repeated each semester.
- Step by Step Instructions for COF Authorization
Deadlines to Apply and Authorize for COF
Students can apply for COF before and during the semester until approximately two weeks prior to the last day of finals. When approved for COF, students can then go to the On-Line Student Center and authorize their COF through the last day of finals. Students may also come into the Office of the Registrar in Regent 105 to authorize through the last day of finals each semester.
May 9th |
Spring 2013 |
August 9th |
Summer 2013 |
| December 19th | Fall 2013 |
Deadline to Add a Course and Be Eligible for the COF Voucher
If a COF eligible student adds a course after the deadlines indicated below, according to CCHE COF policy, the student will pay full tuition for the course, including the amount normally paid by COF, and the course will not be credited to COF hours used.
| February 1, 2013 (Fri.), 5:00 p.m | Spring 2013 |
Exceptions: COF eligible students who add a course after the dates indicated above will still be eligible for the COF voucher for the added course if one of the following conditions are met. (Note: No exceptions are made for courses added AFTER the last day of finals of the term. For Spring 2013, the last day of finals is Thursday, May 9th at 5:00p.m.)
- Administrative error - student attending course but not registered due to administrative error
- Section change - student moving from one section of the course to another
- Level change - instructor or advisor recommends the student move to another level of the course
- Courses with non-standard meeting times - includes independent study, intensives, etc
COF Waiver
Undergraduate in-state students who will use more than 145 hours towards their first degree may apply for a waiver to this limit. You may not apply for this waiver until you have less than 25 COF hours remaining (life time hours 145, COF hours used greater than or equal to 120).
Waivers will be considered for the following reasons:
- Extenuating circumstances exist outside the student’s control (health, physical ability, change of work hours/location) that keep the student from finishing the degree program within the 145 lifetime credit hour limit.
- The degree program as approved by CCHE requires more than 120 hours to complete.
- While the student was enrolled in a specific degree program, CCHE approved and the institution implemented an alteration of degree requirements or standards for the specific degree.
- Paying the full amount of total in-state tuition for credit hours that exceed the 145 COF credit hour lifetime limit would cause a substantial economic hardship on the student and the student’s family.
- Disadvantages created when COF was implemented because of AP, high school coursework or other transfer credit brought in that led to a lower awarding of COF credits due to your initial class standing (freshman, sophomore, etc.).
Waivers based upon the following criteria alone will not be considered for the following reasons:
- A student decision to pursue a dual degree, double major, or combination of majors/minors that extend the time to achieve the degree.
- Participation in the Course Repetition program.
- Lack of satisfactory academic progress, including failed courses, awarding of incomplete grades, etc.
Please complete the Waiver Request Form and all supporting documentation and return it to the Office of the Registrar, Regent 105.
If you have questions about the College Opportunity Fund, please see COF Frequently Asked Questions.
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