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The CU Promise Program FAQs
1. What is the CU Promise Program?
Beginning fall 2005 and approved through the 2008-09 academic year, CU-Boulder will guarantee a financial aid package that includes a combination of grants, scholarships, and a work-study award sufficient to fund the student share of tuition, fees, and estimated book expenses (as defined by Colorado Commission on Higher Education) for eligible students.
2. What does "student share of tuition" mean?
An act of the Colorado State Legislature in May 2004 established a new way for the State to provide state tax dollar support for higher education at the undergraduate level. The state is no longer appropriating monies to institutions for undergraduate education, but is providing direct funding to undergraduate students through the "College Opportunity Fund" or "COF." This program is also known as "vouchers" or "stipends." Starting in fall 2005, provided that an undergraduate in-state student applies for and authorizes use of the voucher, it will be applied to the student's university bill. The remaining portion of tuition is referred to as the "student's share" of tuition. (Additional COF info).
3. How do I apply for the CU Promise Program?
The university will evaluate the eligibility of all entering students who may qualify based on their completed financial aid application. Students must apply for financial aid each year to continue in the program.
4. What are the initial eligibility requirements?
To begin participation, a student must:
- be a Colorado resident,
- be a first-time freshman or a new transfer student from a Colorado community college,
- be admitted/enrolled into an undergraduate degree program at CU-Boulder,
- be working on his/her first bachelors degree,
- be enrolled full time (12 hours/semester) on the Boulder campus,
- have total family income at or below 100% of the federally-established poverty level,
- apply for and meet all, Federal, State and Institutional requirements for receipt of Title IV financial aid funding,
- demonstrate eligibility for Federal Pell Grant,
- meet all financial aid application verification requirements,
- complete the financial aid application process by July 1.
Eligible students who complete the entire application process and are awarded financial aid by July 1 will be guaranteed participation in the CU Promise Program. After that date, participation will be limited by fund availability.
5. What is required to remain in the program?
To continue to participate, a student is required to:
- continue to meet all of the initial eligibility requirements (including poverty level for any given award year) in successive years
- meet university Satisfactory Academic Progress rules each semester, as required by federal Title IV regulations
6. What are the family income requirements?
Eligibility for the CU Promise Program is based upon the family income of the student as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The family income must be at or below the federal poverty guidelines.
For 2008-09, the parents’ 2007 income must not exceed the following figures (based on household size):
| Household Size | 2008 Total Family Income |
| 1 | 10,400 |
| 2 | 14,000 |
| 3 | 17,600 |
| 4 | 21,200 |
| 5 | 24,800 |
| 6 | 28,400 |
| 7 | 32,000 |
| 8 | 35,600 |
| For each additional person add | 3,600 |
Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 15, January 24, 2007, pp. 3147–3148
7. How long can a student participate in the CU Promise Program?
A student may remain in the program for up to 10 semesters (excluding summer terms, which will not be funded) or completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
8. If a CU Promise student loses eligibility after the first year, can the eligibility be regained?
Students who are eligible for the CU Promise Program during their first year of enrollment at CU–Boulder, who become ineligible in a subsequent academic year (e.g. student fails to meet satisfactory academic progress), may appeal to the Office of Financial Aid for reconsideration. This appeal must be made, in writing to the Associate Director of Client Services, no later than the first day of classes for the student's first semester of ineligibility. Continuation in the program is not guaranteed for these students.
9. How are a student's CU Promise awards affected by other resources, scholarships, or financial aid?
In accordance with federal and state requirements, CU's Promise awards will not exceed the student’s financial need. Financial need is determined by taking the student’s cost of attendance as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and subtracting the expected family contribution (EFC) as determined by the financial aid application form, and any other resources.
10. Can a student who is not eligible based on total family income, become eligible through the financial aid Professional Judgment process?
Eligibility for the CU Promise Program is based on the actual total family income as reported on the federal income tax return. Adjustments to income through the financial aid Professional Judgment process will not affect Promise eligibility.
11. What aid is available for a CU Promise student who goes on Study Abroad?
Students who are enrolled in an eligible study abroad program will receive only the amount of funding they would be eligible for if they were enrolled on the Boulder campus. However, a student may choose to accept a loan to cover additional study abroad expenses.
12. Will students be notified of their CU Promise awards?
All students who are eligible to participate will receive an official welcome letter informing them of their participation in this program. The notification will also consist of a CU Promise Program fact sheet.
13. Will awards be adjusted for students who transfer between CU-Boulder colleges or schools during the academic year?
Awards for students who transfer between CU-Boulder schools or colleges will not be adjusted during the course of the academic year unless there is a change in financial need that requires a decrease in the award.
14. What happens if a student transfers from one CU campus to another?
The CU Promise program is a CU system program available at all campuses. As long as a student continues to meet the eligibility requirements of the program, the guarantee will be available at any CU campus.
15. How do I find a work-study job?
Work-study jobs are posted in CU Connect, the CU Student Portal, under the 'Financial' tab. If you need assistance in locating a job, please contact the Student Employment Office at 303-492-7349 or stop by Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Regent 205. (additional work-study job info).
16. What happens if a student is unable to or chooses not to earn the work-study award?
The work component is an essential part of this guarantee. A student may choose to accept a loan (if eligible) to replace the work component or cover other expenses in the cost of attendance (e.g. room and board, transportation, medical, personal). However, additional grant aid will not be awarded to replace work-study funds.
17. How is participation affected for a student who returns to CU-Boulder after a withdrawal?
As long as this program is in existence, a student who withdraws from the university will be eligible for continued awarding upon his/her return in a subsequent semester. Participation will continue in accordance with the rules at the time the student initially entered the program. A student who withdraws and re-enrolls during the same academic year may be re-awarded as funds allow.
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