Military Members, Veterans and Dependents

Active-duty members of the armed forces of the United States and Canada on duty stationed in Colorado are eligible for an in-state tuition exception, regardless of Colorado domicile or length of residence in Colorado. The military member must have active-duty status and report to a duty station in Colorado. This must be certified by their military education officer.

Active-duty military on TDY (temporary duty) in Colorado are not eligible for the College Opportunity Fund and once the temporary assignment in Colorado ends the student is no longer entitled to in-state tuition status unless the student would qualify for in-state tuition under another basis.

To request in-state tuition exceptions for an admitted student, the Certification for Military Tuition Status Form must be completed and submitted 30 days prior to the first day of classes. You can find the Certification for Military Tuition Status Form here.

Dependents

Dependents of members of the armed forces include:

• The spouse of a member of the armed services who was the member’s spouse at the time that the member was stationed in Colorado and at the time the spouse is requesting in-state tuition classification
• Any child under the age of twenty-two born to or legally adopted by the member of the armed forces who enrolls in a public institution of higher education within twelve years after the member was stationed in Colorado.

To request an in-state tuition exception for an admitted student, the military member must complete and submit the Certification for Military Tuition Status Form prior to the first day of classes. You can find the Certification for Military Tuition Status Form here.

Additional Information:

• After qualifying as an in-state student, a member of the armed forces on active duty, or a spouse or dependent of a member of the armed forces, shall not lose his/her in-state status if the member of the armed forces retires or separates from the military.
• A member of the armed forces or his/her dependent who obtains in-state status based on a temporary assignment to duty in Colorado shall not be eligible to receive a College Opportunity Fund stipend unless that student is eligible under another provision of statute.
• Interpretation on “moving to Colorado on a permanent change-of-station basis” includes two components: permanent assignment to a Colorado base; and maintenance of a full-time, principal residence in Colorado. It must be noted, however, that qualification for in-state status due to “permanent change-of-station basis” does not automatically confer domicile.
• If you are a financial aid recipient, your cost of attendance has been greatly reduced and your financial aid will be adjusted. You will no longer be eligible for scholarships based on being a non-resident.

• To retain Colorado domicile during an absence from Colorado due to military orders, military members must maintain Colorado as their legal residence for tax purposes and voter registration.
• A person domiciled in Colorado for one year prior to enlisting in active-duty service who returns permanently to Colorado within 6 months of discharge from the military is eligible for in-state tuition exception.
• Military members cannot establish domicile in Colorado for tuition purposes while residing elsewhere or while residing in Colorado on a temporary basis.
• If a qualified person (the parent petitioner or emancipated student) is domiciled in Colorado for one year, they are eligible to petition for in-state tuition classification.
• If you are a financial aid recipient, your cost of attendance has been greatly reduced and your financial aid will be adjusted. You will no longer be eligible for scholarships based on being a non-resident.

Please contact the Office of Admissions, 719.549.2462, to determine steps to petitioning for in-state tuition classification.

• Members of the Colorado National Guard and their dependents qualify for in-state tuition exceptions if the member maintains his or her sole residence in Colorado. This includes having Colorado state taxes withheld from wages, leasing or owning property in Colorado, and maintaining Colorado vehicle registration, Colorado driver’s license, and Colorado voter’s registration. You can find the  Colorado National Guard Tuition Adjustment Form here.
• If you are a financial aid recipient, your cost of attendance has been greatly reduced and your financial aid will be adjusted. You will no longer be eligible for scholarships based on being a non-resident.