Colorado Promise Program
Information for CMC Students
The Colorado Promise: Two Free Years of College Expanded is a statewide program designed to help eligible Colorado students make college more affordable by reimbursing out-of-pocket tuition and mandatory fees through a refundable state tax credit. The program builds on existing promise programs and expands support to middle-income families.
Key Benefits:
- Reimburses tuition and mandatory fees paid after grants and scholarships
- Covers up to the first 65 college credits (about two years of college)
- Applies to Colorado public colleges and universities, including Colorado Mountain College
The reimbursement is received as a refundable tax credit when the student files a Colorado state income tax return.
Who is Eligible?
Students must:
- Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) each academic year
- Have a family adjusted gross income (AGI) of $90,000 or less, as determined by the FAFSA or CASFA
- Be a Colorado resident for tuition purposes
- Be an undergraduate, degree- or credential-seeking student
- Complete at least 6 credit hours in a term and earn a 2.5 GPA that term
- Be within the first 65 earned college credits (excluding AP, IB, concurrent enrollment, or military credits)
- Enroll within two years of high school graduation or equivalent
- Pay some portion of tuition or fees out of pocket
How It Works:
- Submit a FAFSA or CASFA for the academic year.
- Enroll at Colorado Mountain College as a degree-seeking undergraduate.
- Pay tuition and fees after grants, scholarships, and institutional aid are applied.
- The eligible Colorado Promise student must file a Colorado state income tax return to claim the Colorado Promise tax credit for the applicable calendar year, which is filed in the spring.
- Receive the refundable tax credit, even if no state tax is owed.
Important Notes:
- There is no separate application for Colorado Promise
- The tax credit only covers tuition and mandatory fees
- Housing, books, and other expenses are not included
Official Resources from the State of Colorado Department of Higher Education:
Colorado Mountain College also offers the Colorado Mountain Promise, an institutional program that covers tuition for eligible students with lower income thresholds. Eligible students may benefit from both programs, depending on individual circumstances.
Promise Program Comparison
| Feature | Colorado Promise (State of Colorado) | Colorado Mountain Promise (CMC) |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | State of Colorado, CDHE | Colorado Mountain College, CMC |
| Income Limit | $90,000 AGI (family), CDHE | $70,000 (dependent) / $50,000 (independent), CMC |
| Covers | Tuition & fees up to 65 credits, CDHE | Tuition coverage (last-dollar), CMC |
| Benefit Type | Refundable tax credit, CDHE | Institutional tuition coverage, CMC |
| Eligibility includes | 2.5 term GPA + 6 credit minimum, CDHE | SAP and enrollment criteria per CMC standard |
No. Students who meet eligibility requirements are automatically included.
The benefit is received as a refundable tax credit when the student files a Colorado state income tax return.
No. Colorado Promise is a state tax credit. The Colorado Mountain Promise is a separate institutional tuition program.
Questions:
For questions regarding your eligibility at Colorado Mountain College, contact 1098TLine@coloradomtn.edu or call 970-947-8456