Career Advance Colorado | Colorado Mesa University

Career Advance Funding Is Scheduled To End June 2026

The Career Advance Colorado program offers zero-cost training for in-demand jobs. Starting in August 2023, students who enroll in qualifying programs will have their tuition, student fees and course fees covered after any scholarships or grants have been applied to the students account. Qualifying students will also receive a book stipend. Book stipends will be $100 for certificate students and $300 for associates.

Eligibility Criteria

Students must have a completed FAFSA/CASFA for the current academic year
- Students solely declared for and taking courses towards a Financial Aid Ineligible program are not required to complete a FAFSA/CASFA.
Be eligible to receive financial aid
- - Construction Electrical Technology, Certificate
  - Early Childhood Education Director, Certificate
  - Early Childhood Education Teacher, Certificate
  - Early Childhood Assistant Teacher, Certificate (Financial Aid Ineligible Program)
  - Early Childhood Education Entry-Level Teacher, Certificate (Financial Aid Ineligible Program)
  - Early Childhood Education, Associates of Applied Science
  - Fire Academy Level 1, Certificate
  - HVAC: HVAC Fundamentals, Certificate
  - Law Enforcement Academy (POST), Certificate - Main and Montrose Campus
  - Practical Nursing LPN, Certificate - Main Campus and Montrose Campus
    - Pre-Nursing students will not qualify for this funding
  - Registered Nursing RN, Associates of Applied Science - Montrose Campus
    - Pre-Nursing students will not qualify for this funding

This program will cover the tuition for any course the student is enrolled in including any Essential Learning (ENGL, MATC, etc) courses taken toward the qualifying degree.

Process

The Career Advance Scholarship will be automatically applied to the student's financial aid package once their declared major is verified after campus census (last day to add/drop full semester classes).

Students who need to claim a book stipend over the awarded amount will need to complete the required eform and provide documentation to have the funds applied to their CMU Account.

Student FAQ

Students must be declared in an eligible program.

Students who have already received Pell grant and/or Colorado State Grant may not receive these funds if their tuition and fees cost has already been covered.

Yes, this program covers the tuition and fees of all courses the student is taking as long as they are making progress towards an eligible program.

Students will need to have completed FAFSA/CASFA for the current academic year. Scholarships are automatically applied at campus census each semester after student's declared degrees have been verified.

Students declared in an eligible certificate program will receive a $100 book stipend. Students declared in a eligible associates will receive a $300 book stipend.

If students need additional book funding, they request it through the Additional Book Stipend Request eform.