College Opportunity Fund

Bursar’s Office

The College Opportunity Fund provides state-tax dollars to colleges and universities on behalf of eligible in-state resident undergraduate students. The Fund was created by an Act of the Colorado State Legislature in May 2004 to heighten awareness that state tax dollars are used to offset the costs of undergraduate education.

COF Common Questions

You are eligible for the stipend if:

  • You are considered an undergraduate Colorado resident for tuition classification purposes, and
  • You are taking eligible undergraduate classes at the University of Northern Colorado.

If you’re a Colorado resident undergraduate student, the College Opportunity Fund (COF) helps pay part of your tuition—so don’t miss out!

Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Apply
Visit the COF website and complete the short application. This lets the State of Colorado know you’re eligible to receive the stipend. Please note: you may have applied using your UNC application. If so, no need to apply again.

Step 2: Authorize UNC
Once you have accress to Ursa, you can authorize UNC to apply this stipend to your account. A popup might show up when you register for the first time asking you to authorize at that time.  We strongly recommend choosing “lifetime authorization” so you don’t have to do it every semester!

No. It doesn’t change financial aid requirements or affect your eligibility for financial aid. Financial aid will be applied toward your share of tuition.

No. Your stipend will pay directly to your university student account.

No—COF does have a limit on the number of credit hours it will fund, based on Colorado state law.

Here’s what the law allows:

  • First bachelor’s degree students: Up to 145 COF-funded credit hours
  • Second bachelor’s degree students: An additional 30 credit hours

If you reach or exceed this limit, you may still be eligible for an institutional waiver.

Here’s how the waiver process works:

  • UNC will automatically review students after the census date (add/drop deadline) each term
  • Waivers are granted for a maximum of one year
  • You don’t need to apply—we’ll identify students who are:
    • In good academic standing
    • On track to complete their degree

If you’re granted a waiver, you’ll receive an email notification from the university.

Still have questions? Learn more at the COF website or contact the Bursar’s Office—we’re here to help!

Great question! While the College Opportunity Fund (COF) helps cover a big part of your in-state tuition, it doesn’t apply to every class.

COF does not cover:

  • Basic skills courses (like remedial or ESL classes)
  • Most off-campus, extended studies, or continuing education courses

If you’re unsure whether a class qualifies, feel free to reach out to the Registrar’s Office—they’re happy to help you understand what COF covers and explore your options!

At UNC, the stipend must be applied to all eligible credit hours taken in the same term. Your credit hours will be submitted each term you enroll unless you direct UNC to not submit your hours. If your hours are not submitted, you will be responsible for your entire tuition bill.

Yes. Undergraduate students who enroll in graduate courses as part of their bachelor’s degree program will receive the stipend. As long as the graduate-level course is going towards a bachelor’s degree program.