If your student grew up in Colorado but lacks lawful immigration status, the ASSET law opens real, affordable college options close to home. Below is a practical, accurate guide to what ASSET is, who qualifies, what it pays for, and how to use it.
What is ASSET?
ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow) is Colorado law that lets eligible undocumented students pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. It also works alongside other state programs so students can receive the College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend and state financial aid if they meet need-based criteria.
What changed recently?
In 2022, Colorado updated ASSET with HB22-1155. Two big improvements:
- Time in a Colorado high school: The old “three-year” requirement was reduced to one year (defined as two academic terms immediately before graduation).
- No more 12-month post-graduation deadline: Students no longer have to start college within a year of graduating to get in-state tuition.
Students must still show 12 consecutive months of physical presence in Colorado before enrolling. These updates removed barriers for many families.
In 2019, HB19-1196 also made ASSET students eligible for state financial aid, not just in-state tuition.
Who qualifies? (Eligibility checklist)
Your student may qualify if they:
- Attended a Colorado high school for at least one year immediately before graduation, or were physically present in Colorado for at least one year before completing a Colorado high school equivalency (GED).
- Have been physically present in Colorado for 12 straight months before starting college.
What does ASSET pay for?
ASSET itself classifies the student as in-state for tuition purposes. That unlocks:
- In-state tuition rates at Colorado public colleges and universities.
- COF stipend (a per-credit subsidy for eligible undergraduates attending participating institutions).
- State financial aid (e.g., need-based grants) if the student qualifies. ASSET students apply using the CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid), not the federal FAFSA.
Note: Federal financial aid (Pell Grants, federal student loans) is still not available to undocumented students, which is why CASFA and state/institutional aid are so important.
How to use ASSET: a step-by-step plan for families
- Pick target colleges early. Every public institution has an admissions and residency page explaining ASSET steps; start with the registrar/residency office and financial aid office. (Examples: UNC, CMU, CU campuses.)
- Document “one year” and “12 months” clearly. Keep transcripts, report cards, attendance records, and anything proving your student attended a Colorado high school for one academic year immediately before graduation. For physical presence, keep leases, utility bills, pay stubs, or other dated documents covering the 12 months before enrollment.
- Apply for admission and request in-state classification under ASSET. On the residency portion, indicate ASSET eligibility. If the school asks, submit the COF affidavit.
- Apply for the COF stipend. This is a quick application and can save meaningful money each term.
- Complete the CASFA (not FAFSA) for state/institutional aid. CASFA opens annually; the state’s page has student/parent guides, checklists, and the live application. Submit only one aid application (CASFA or FAFSA).
- Ask financial aid about institutional grants and scholarships. Many colleges layer their own aid on top of ASSET and CASFA. (College pages and CDHE list these options.)
Bottom line
ASSET can make college in Colorado both possible and affordable for undocumented students: in-state tuition, a per-credit COF stipend, and access to state/institutional aid via CASFA—provided your student meets the one-year high-school and 12-month physical-presence rules and completes the required forms. Start early, keep clear records, and work closely with your student’s chosen college.
