High school graduates from Gunnison and Hinsdale counties will be able to pursue a college degree without paying a single cent for tuition should they opt to stick close to home and attend Western Colorado University.
A program the institution will debut this fall will cover tuition costs for local students, including those who have been home schooled, in hopes of encouraging more students to stay in the region and help pump its economy, according to a university news release. This includes students in Gunnison, Crested Butte and Lake City.
The Gunnison Valley Promise, announced this week at the Capitol, guarantees free tuition for students, regardless of their household income, through a $4 million endowment. The school has $1.5 million for the program through contributions from private donors and municipalities, all to help students skirt the mounting costs of higher education at four-year schools.
University President Brad Baca said the new program marks “a promise to the place we call home.”
“We’re investing in local students and, in doing so, we’re investing in the future of the community we serve,” he said in a statement.
After being accepted at Western, students enrolling in the program must complete federal financial aid forms and also apply for the Colorado College Opportunity Fund, through which eligible undergraduates can receive a stipend that goes toward in-state tuition.
Students can also apply for an Earn to Learn scholarship to help with other expenses, including books, fees, transportation and housing.
Free college tuition has gained momentum in Colorado in recent years. The state offers a program called the Colorado Promise that will reimburse students studying at public colleges, universities and technical schools for tuition and fees for two years of their education. Students whose family income is no more than $90,000 are eligible. The reimbursement comes in the form of a yearly refundable tax credit and will cover up to 65 credit hours.