Colorado: New Scholarship Initiative Expands Support For Students on the Path to a Bachelor’s Degree

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Denver, Colo. ~ Denver, Colo. - The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) has announced the expansion of the Accelerated Study in Academic Programs (ASAP) through the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI). This initiative aims to provide comprehensive support to students pursuing a bachelor's degree, including financial, academic, and personal assistance.

Thanks to a multi-year $20 million philanthropic partnership and a grant from Arnold Ventures, CDHE is able to expand this program and serve more bachelor's degree-seeking students. The investment of over $5 million will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the State of Colorado and institutional funds.

Governor Jared Polis expressed his support for this effort, stating that it will not only benefit individual students but also strengthen the state's economy and future workforce. He believes that connecting students with the necessary skills and training for in-demand jobs is crucial for their success and the state's future.

The ASAP model was originally developed by City University of New York (CUNY) and has been proven to double institutional completion rates. By implementing this model in partnership with Adams State University and the University of Northern Colorado, COSI hopes to see similar success in Colorado.

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JB Holston, executive director of CDHE, believes that ASAP is an opportunity to bring proven student success strategies to more learners across the state. He sees this expansion as a way to increase degree completion, strengthen workforce pipelines, and advance educational attainment in higher education.

The COSI ASAP expansion will allow institutions to bring these successful interventions to more students, amplifying their impact on degree completion and long-term student success. Justin Milner, executive vice president of Evidence & Evaluation at Arnold Ventures, commended Colorado for its commitment to scaling evidence-based programs. He looks forward to partnering with CDHE and COSI to bring this rigorously evaluated model to more students across the state.

Adams State University President David Tandberg also expressed his gratitude for the generous investment by Arnold Ventures and the State of Colorado. He believes that providing students with additional assistance not only helps them financially but also sends a message that they are capable and deserving of reaching their potential and realizing their dreams.

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University of Northern Colorado President Andy Feinstein echoed this sentiment, stating that this partnership strengthens their shared commitment to expanding opportunity and supporting student success across Colorado.

The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative was created to increase the attainment of postsecondary credentials and degrees for underserved students in the state. It addresses this challenge through accessibility and affordability, funding programs that prepare students for postsecondary education and providing matching funds for community scholarships.

Arnold Ventures is a philanthropy dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through evidence-based policy solutions. They focus on systemic change and bipartisan policy reforms to address persistent problems in society.

The State of Colorado, Arnold Ventures, Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy, and Colorado Equitable Economic Mobility Initiative have joined forces to identify, scale, and sustain proven programs like ASAP through the Colorado Partnership for Proven Initiatives.

With this expansion of ASAP, more Coloradans will have access to the support they need to pursue higher education and achieve their goals. This initiative not only benefits individual students but also has the potential to strengthen the state's economy and workforce in the long run.

Filed Under: Government, State

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