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The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) is a Colorado Department of Higher Education grant program that works to lower barriers to higher education and professional training by providing financial support and academic enrichment programs to students for up to five years. As a COSI participant, CU Boulder is required to provide matching funds.

ODECE currently manages about $2 million in COSI scholarships and ensures mentoring, tutoring, advising and other academic enrichment for students. Through these scholarships, ODECE is building stronger relationships with counties and school districts across the state to better serve students, part of CU Boulder’s commitment to expanding outreach to K-12 students from underrepresented communities as outlined in the Inclusion, Diversity and Excellence in Academics (IDEA) Plan.

Questions? Contact Rosie Allen, director of scholarships and student success.

  • Students don't apply; they are nominated by a CU LEAD Alliance academic learning community or another student success program.
  • You are eligible if you are a Colorado resident who participates in a CU Boulder LEAD Alliance program and have a family income within 250% of PELL eligibility. 
  • Students typically receive a $3,000 scholarship, renewable for four years.
  • Students may qualify more than once.

Do you want to support first-generation and low-income Colorado residents so they can attend CU Boulder?

Consider donating to the COSI fund through University of Colorado Foundation, which manages these grants. Your impact is immediately doubled by the 1:1 Matching Student Scholarship (MSS) grant!

Find out more about our community COSI partners!