The College Opportunity Fund (COF) Frequently asked questions

These are some questions that Fort Lewis College has received from parents, high school counselors and continuing FLC students.  If you don’t find the answer to your question here, please call the Accounting Office at 247-7380 or e-mail cof@fortlewis.edu for assistance.

1)      When does the COF stipend begin?

The stipend will take effect beginning with the Fall 2005 academic term.

2)      Can any state resident receive the stipend?

The stipend is available to all students who are classified as in-state for tuition purposes.  Any questions about a student’s status as “in-state for tuition purposes” should be referred to the Accounting office.

3)      Should I register (apply) for COF?

Yes.  If you are now eligible for the COF stipend, or think you might be in the future, you should apply.   You can apply at https://cof.college-access.net/cofapp/index.jsp

4)      I am a Native American student – can I receive the COF stipend?

In-state Native American students will be eligible for the COF stipend, and must apply just like any other in-state student.

5)      I am a New Mexico reciprocal student – can I receive the stipend?

No.  However, New Mexico reciprocal students will receive a tuition discount equal to the amount of the COF stipend, so your tuition will continue to be the same as an in-state resident receiving the COF stipend.  

Since New Mexico reciprocal students are not eligible for the stipend they should not apply for it.

6)      I am a WUE student – can I receive the stipend?

No.  However, continuing WUE students will be “grandfathered in,” paying tuition at a rate equal to 150% of the student's share of Resident tuition (i.e., - no change).  

New WUE students will pay tuition at a rate equal to 150% of Total Resident Tuition.

Since WUE students are not eligible for the stipend they should not apply for it.

7)      Do I have to complete the FAFSA in order to receive the COF?

No.  The COF stipend is completely separate from financial aid.

8)      Will my other financial aid be impacted if I receive COF?

No.  The COF stipend is not a grant and will not impact your eligibility for financial aid.

9)      How much is the COF stipend worth?

The amount will vary.  It will be determined each year by the Colorado Legislature.  It is estimated that the amount for the 2005-2006 academic year will be $80.00 per credit hour but that number has not been finalized yet.

10)  Will I receive a check for the stipend?

No.  The money will be sent to the school or schools where you are enrolled.  The stipend will be applied to your total tuition and will appear on your bill.

11)  Will it cover all my tuition?

No.  The stipend will pay a portion of the student’s total in-state tuition bill, and the student will be responsible for the remainder (a.k.a. “student’s share”)
Example:

•Using estimates, the effect on in-state tuition for one term will look something like:

Total In-State Tuition                $2,500

COF Stipend Amount               -1,200 *                       *COF of $80/cr. hr. times 15 credit hours

Student Share                           $1,300

12)  Will the amount of tuition at FLC be lower next year because of the COF?

No.  It is expected that the student’s share of tuition will increase slightly, though tuition rates will not be final until early summer 2005.

13)  Will there be enough money to cover summer courses?  If not how will we pay for the difference?

The amount of funding available will vary from year to year.  If the College Opportunity Fund runs short, the legislature has the option to reassess the situation and attempt to identify and allocate additional sources of funds.

14)  Are all classes covered?

No.  Classes excluded from stipend funding are:

a.       Basic Skills / Transitional Studies (TRS) / Remedial

b.      Classes taken as part of the Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) Act

c.       High school Fast-Track classes

d.      International baccalaureate classes

e.       Advanced Placement classes

15)  Will I have to pay more for excluded classes like Basic Skills / Transitional Studies (TRS) / Remedial, PSEO and Fast-Track ?

The student will not have to pay more for these classes.  Fort Lewis College will supply institutional funding to cover the tuition at a level equal to the stipend.

16)  Will the COF stipend apply toward my study abroad courses?

It depends.  Students who register for courses at Fort Lewis College and pay Fort Lewis College tuition will receive the COF stipend.  Students who register for courses at a foreign institution and pay that institution’s tuition will not receive a COF stipend.

17)  Will COF pay for my books and living expenses?

No.  The COF stipend can only be applied toward tuition.

18)  What happens after I apply for the COF stipend?

You only need to apply once in your lifetime, but you do need to authorize the use of your COF stipend each term.  You will be given the opportunity to authorize the use of your stipend from the WebOPUS web pages both during and after registration.

19)  Can I use the COF stipend at any school in the state?

The COF stipend will be available at all State of Colorado public institutions and participating private institutions of higher education as defined by the legislation.  Students attending private institutions will receive one-half the amount of the stipend available to students at public institutions.

20)  What happens if I choose not to use the stipend at any given school?

You will be responsible for the total in-state tuition amount (i.e. your student share plus COF stipend).

21)  How many credit hours can I receive a stipend for?

The law caps a student’s stipend at 145 credit hours.  An additional 30 undergraduate credit hours may be taken by a student who has attained a bachelors degree

22)  What happens if I exceed the 145 credit hour limitation?

You may apply to Fort Lewis College for a one-time, one-year waiver   If a waiver is not available from the college, you may apply to the CCHE if you meet certain criteria:

a.       specific degree requirements that exceed the 145 credit hour limit

b.      extenuating circumstances due to health or physical ability

c.       economic hardship

23)  Can two members of the same family receive the COF stipend?

Yes.   

24)  I don’t have a computer.  How will I sign up?

Public access computers are often available from local schools and libraries.  If you cannot access a computer anywhere, you can get a paper application form from CCHE:
 
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200
Denver, Colorado 80204
Phone: 303-866-2723
FAX:    303-866-4266

25)  Who is responsible for COF?

It depends on what you mean by “responsible”.  

a.       The General Assembly of the State of Colorado is responsible for passing SB 04-189, the COF legislation.

b.      The Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) is responsible for COF compliance and negotiations with the individual colleges and universities, and issuing rulings on any ambiguities.  

c.       The College Access Network (CAN) is responsible for handling the transfer of funds to the schools on behalf of the students, and maintaining a central database of the total credit hours used by each student across all institutions.

d.      All public colleges and universities, and participating private colleges and universities, are responsible for tracking student credit hours and reporting them to CCHE and CAN.

CCHE and CAN also maintain lists of frequently asked questions at the following websites:

College Access Network (CAN)                      https://cof.college-access.net/cofapp/FAQs.jsp

CCHE (implementation questions)                     http://www.state.co.us/cche/cof/index.html