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First Nations Promise

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Empowering Native American Students

At Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), we are dedicated to supporting the educational journey of Native American students through our First Nations Promise Program. This initiative is designed to provide substantial financial aid and comprehensive support, ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable for our Native American community.

 

Student Studying

Program Highlights

Last-Dollar Grant
Our First Nations Promise Program offers a last-dollar grant that bridges the gap between financial aid and tuition, fees, and required course material costs. This means that after federal and state financial aid has been applied to your account, the First Nations grant will cover the remaining required expenses. Any scholarship or grant you receive from your tribe or other funding sources will be refunded to you.

For example: 
Nate qualifies for the First Nations Promise Program and registers for 15 credits on-campus this semester. His tuition for the semester is $2,536. He filed his FAFSA and was awarded $1,000 in Pell Grants. The First Nations grant covers the remaining $1,536 of his bill.

Gabby qualifies for the First Nations Promise Program and registers for 6 credits online. Her tuition is $1,667. She filed a FAFSA but does not qualify for any federal or state grants, so the First Nations grant covers the full $1,667. Gabby also receives a $1,000 scholarship from her tribe. Because the First Nations grant covers her direct expenses, she receives the $1,000 as a refund to be used for indirect educational expenses like housing, food, and transportation. 

Diverse Educational Opportunities
PPSC offers a range of programs to cater to different career aspirations. Whether you are looking to transfer to a four-year institution or enter the workforce directly, we have the right program for you.

  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): Programs in Automotive Technology, Welding, Engineering, Cyber Security, Programming, and healthcare fields.
  • Transfer Programs: Complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree and transfer to a four-year university.


Eligibility

Students who meet the following requirements may be eligible for the First Nations Promise.

  • Tribal Membership: Enrolled member of any of the 574 federally recognized tribes or a state-recognized tribe.

  • Current Address: Must live in El Paso, Teller, or Elbert County in Colorado.

  • Academic Requirements: Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

  • Financial Aid: Must complete the FAFSA each academic year.

  • College Opportunity Fund (COF): Must authorize the use of COF each semester, if applicable.

  • First Degree: You must be pursuing your first college degree. You are not eligible if you already have an associates, bachelor's, or higher.  
ppsc centennial campus
PPSC Rampart Campus

How to Apply

  1. Apply for Admission: Submit your admission application to Pikes Peak State College.

  2. Financial Aid: Complete the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal and state financial aid. 

  3. Apply for the First Nations Grant  

    First Nations Promise Program Grant Application

Many tribes offer additional scholarships to members. Check with your tribe to see if you qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grants are available to eligible students beginning the Fall 2024 semester. 

Eligible students will receive grant funding for their first associates degree. There is no limit to the number of credits the Grant will cover in a semester.

Yes. You can receive financial aid for the same course twice. However, financial aid is not available for courses you want to take a third time or more.

No. Eligible students can receive grant funds regardless of the number of credits they are taking in a given semester.

Grant funding is awarded to eligible students seeking their first associate’s degree.

No. Grant funding is awarded to eligible students seeking their first college degree. You are not eligible if you already have an associates, bachelor's, or higher.  

Students not eligible for the grant may still be eligible for state and federal funding. Students should file the FAFSA to determine their eligibility.

All required fees and materials can be covered by the grant.

Yes. You must complete and submit the First Nations Promise Grant Application. You only need to submit this once. If eligible, as long as you remain a student in good standing you will continue to be eligible for the grant each semester.

No. Applicants for the First Nations Promise Grant are required to complete the FAFSA annually. However, students who do not qualify for state or federal funding will receive First Nations grant funding to pay all tuition, fees, and required course materials.

Initial residency classification is based on the answers you provide to the residency questions on the admission application. If you are not initially classified as a resident, registered members of a federally recognized American Indian tribe with historical ties to Colorado qualify for in-state tuition and the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

·Yes. U.S. citizens and eligible nonresidents must file a FAFSA.

The Federal Pell Grant is guaranteed to students who meet the Pell eligibility criteria. However, all other federal and state funding are not guaranteed and are awarded if funding is available. The First Nations grant will be awarded to students even if federal and state funding is not available. Sometimes federal and state aid is not sufficient to cover the summer semester, even if it has covered the cost for fall and spring semester. The First Nations Grant will cover all remaining costs under all circumstances.

If you are an in-state resident receiving First Nations Grant funds, you must authorize COF every semester. Students who run out of COF eligibility while still eligible for the First Nations Grant should first complete a COF Waiver. If denied or ineligible, an exception can be made to pay the COF portion of tuition with First Nations Grant funds.

If you are not classified as a resident for tuition purposes, you will not be able to authorize COF. 

This can vary based on your tribe. The best place to start is your tribe’s website. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has contact information for federally recognized tribes. Tribes will have a designated representative to assist with tribal membership.

As a First Nations Promise Scholar, you will be granted a one-semester grace period if you become ineligible for financial aid and your appeal is not approved. If you become ineligible for financial aid, you should:

  1. With the assistance of your First Nations Promise Program Coach, submit an appeal. 
  2. Your appeal will either be approved or denied. If it is approved, you do not need to take further action. If it is denied, you will be granted a one-semester grace period through the First Nations Promise program during which the program will pay for your tuition and fees.
  3. Meet with your promise coach. You will be required to do this twice while on the one-semester grace period.
  4. Earn a 2.0 GPA or better during your grace period semester.
  5. You may have to appeal for financial aid again after your grace period semester

    If you do not follow these steps, you will no longer be awarded First Nations Promise funding after your grace period semester.
Centennial Campus

Have a Question About the First Nations Promise?

Contact Us

First Nations Programs Contact

first.nations@pikespeak.edu

Join the First Nations Promise Program at PPSC and take the first step towards a brighter future.

Explore our programs and apply today!