Promise Programs

Free College and Coaching for Eligible Colorado Students

Pikes Peak State College’s Promise Programs provide free tuition, fees, and support services for eligible graduates from District 2 & District 11, along with all Native American Tribal Members. These first-dollar and last-dollar scholarships cover up to 60 credit hours and include personalized coaching to help you succeed. Because first-dollar scholarships pay tuition and fees first, other aid like Pell Grants and scholarships go directly to you to cover books and other living expenses.

About Promise Programs at PPSC

The Promise Programs at PPSC is a scholarship in three parts.

Free College: Covers tuition and fees for up to three years or 60 credit hours for eligible students who remain in good financial aid standing.
Personalized Coaching: Offers one-on-one support each semester to keep you on track academically and help you reach your goals.
Holistic Support: Prepares you for life after graduation with guidance that builds confidence, purpose, and a clear vision for your future.

Promise Programs are funded through a combination of Federal Pell Grants, Colorado Student Grants, local scholarships, and generous donor support from our community, all of which Students never have to pay back.

This opportunity is available to qualifying graduates from participating schools in the Colorado Springs area. Each participating school has specific eligibility requirements. Please visit your district’s page to view your school's requirements.

Learn more about D2 Promise

Learn more about D11 Promise

How Do PPSC Promise Programs Work?

Get your tuition, fees, and some required class materials covered—so you can focus on your future, not your finances. This incredible opportunity is open to eligible graduates from School District 2 and School District 11. Once you're in, you’ll have up to three years to earn an associate degree or complete 60 credits. You can go full-time or part-time, whatever fits your life best.

What is a First-Dollar Scholarship? (District 2 Students)

A first-dollar scholarship means Promise pays your tuition and fees first, before any other aid is applied. That lets you keep the money from your Pell Grant or other scholarships to help with everyday costs like books, transportation, groceries, or childcare. In other words, you could get paid to go to college.

What is a Last-Dollar Scholarship? (District 11 Students)

A last-dollar scholarship means Promise kicks in after your financial aid is applied. Grants like Pell or the Colorado Student Grant are used first, and Promise covers the rest of your tuition and fees, so you’re still going to school at no cost.

How do You Receive PPSC Promise Program Funds?

Submit your FAFSA or CASFA Application. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) for eligible non-citizens, and submit any additional required paperwork for financial aid.
Check to make sure your FAFSA or CASFA is complete. You must complete all requirements for your financial aid file before PPSC builds your financial aid award with federal and state grants, like the Pell Grant and the Colorado Student Grant.

How to Check Your Financial Aid File is Complete:
Log into myPikesPeak Portal
Locate the Financial Aid card
Review any steps you have to complete
Authorize College Opportunity Fund (COF). It is important to ensure that you have authorized the College Opportunity Fund (COF) to lower your overall tuition cost and make the most of your financial aid award.

Frequently Asked Questions - Promise Funds

On-campus tuition and fees. D11 Promise also covers the cost of textbooks.

Promise students are required to take in-person courses if they are available. Some courses are only available online and are therefore an exception to the in-person class requirement. This depends on your financial aid award. Be sure to communicate with your Promise coach to discuss your options and questions.

No, These funds will not cover additional classroom material or supplies cost.

The Promise Program will cover the cost of on-campus tuition and fees. Outside scholarships, work-study, or loans will be needed to cover other expenses such as housing or meals.

Consider applying for other external scholarships, as well as taking advantage of other PPSC basic needs assistance, to help with additional expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions - Other

No, the Promise Scholarship is for new, first time anywhere students. This means you cannot have any credit from another institution since graduating from high school (not including concurrent enrollment credit while in high school)

No, this is a PPSC program. However, many universities offer transfer scholarships. As you get ready to graduate from PPSC, look for opportunities to apply for transfer scholarships at the universities you apply to. Ask your Promise Coach or Financial Aid advisor where to look for scholarships.

No, there are no citizenship requirements to be eligible for the Promise Program.

Students meet with their coach at least three times and complete four resource workshops per semester.

Students must enroll at PPSC within 16 (3 semesters) months of graduating high school (either the fall or spring semester after graduating high school).

All communication from the Promise team will be through your Student email. It is very important you log into your portal regularly to get these messages.

When registering for classes, you can chose the format you would prefer (e.g. traditional in-person, online, hybrid, etc). However, some classes are only offered in specific format (in-person or online only) and students will be limited to that class format. If you have questions or concerns, please speak with your coach.