CE More Free College
Programs for Free College Once Graduation Requirements are Met
ASCENT and TREP are both programs in which high school seniors can opt-into one or more additional years of education and funding through their High School to continue Concurrent Enrollment.
ASCENT (12+1)
ASCENT 12+1
(Accelerating Students through Concurrent ENrollmenT)
This is Concurrent Enrollment extended into a 5th year, providing graduating seniors one extra year of free college courses as a high school student. ASCENT courses are available at PPSC and in specific cases, UCCS.
All ASCENT applicants MUST complete their FAFSA and apply to their program/college of choice.
If students qualify for financial aid from their program/schools of choice that exceeds ASCENT tuition, students should accept financial aid, which might include textbooks, and forfeit their ASCENT placement to students on the ASCENT waitlist.
Student Eligibility:
- On track to graduate at the end of 12th grade (meets HS grad requirements)
- Must have 9 transcripted college level credits (1000 level+) by expected graduation date
- Additional Included Courses: articulated CTE college credits and AP exam scores of 3-5. The cours(es) must be recorded on the college transcript by June 30th.
- Excluded Courses: Remedial courses, IB credits, or CLEP exams
- Selected by HS Principal or Counselor
- Must have an updated Pathway Plan (ICAP)
- Must select a postsecondary degree or certification program
- Satisfy minimum college prerequisites for ASCENT courses
- Must not be in need of developmental courses for selected pathway
- Retained 5th year seniors do not qualify
- 1 Year Limit - No prior ASCENT participation
College Readiness Scores (no developmental courses must be needed):
ASCENT Courses must align with Pathway Plan & apply to degree/certificate completion.
Diplomas and Transcripts awarded at the end of ASCENT year and dated at the end of ASCENT year; students can
attend and participate in graduation ceremonies with their class; ASCENT grades are included in HS GPA and recorded on the HS transcript.
ASCENT Funding
- Pays College Tuition at Community College rate
- Full-time (FT) = 12+ college credits each semester
- Part-time (PT) = 3-11 college credits each semester
- FAFSA - All ASCENT applicants MUST still submit their FAFSA and apply to colleges
If a student receives financial aid that exceeds ASCENT funding, the student should accept financial aid and decline the ASCENT placement.
ASCENT Slots
- 1 Full-Time student (12+ credits per semester) = 1.0 slot
- 1 Part-Time student (3-11 credits per semester) = 0.5 slot
- 2 Part-Time students = 1.0 slot
- Meeting eligibility requirements ensures review for ASCENT, it does not ensure placement in ASCENT as slots are limited.
TREP (12+2)
TREP 12+2
(Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation)
The TREP program creates the opportunity for qualified students in an educator career pathway to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses for the two years after the 12th grade year.
TREP 12+2 is Concurrent Enrollment extended into a 5th and possibly 6th year, providing graduating seniors with up to two extra years of free college courses. TREP is available at PPSC but not available at UCCS.
All TREP applicants should also complete their FAFSA and apply to their program/college of choice. If students qualify for financial aid from their program/schools of choice that exceeds TREP tuition, students should accept financial aid, which might include textbooks, and forfeit their TREP placement to students on the TREP waitlist.
Student Eligibility
- On track to graduate at the end of 12th grade (meets HS grad requirements)
- Must have taken at least one college course listed in the Educator Pathway listing during the student’s senior year.
- Selected by HS Principal or Counselor
- Must have an updated Pathway Plan (ICAP) that reflects the teacher/educator pathway
- Must select an approved teacher/educator postsecondary degree program
- Satisfy minimum college prerequisites for TREP courses
- Must not be in need of developmental courses for selected pathway
- Retained 5th year seniors do not qualify for initial placement into TREP
- 2 Year Limit - No additional TREP participation permitted
College Readiness Scores (no developmental courses must be needed):
TREP Courses must align with the Educator Pathway Coursework laid out by the Colorado Department of Education.
Students may attend and participate in graduation ceremonies with their own graduating class but the HS Diploma will be awarded at the end of TREP participation and theTranscript will be dated at the end of TREP participation. TREP grades are included in HS GPA and recorded on the HS transcript.
TREP Funding
- Pays College Tuition at Community College rate (PPSC only)
- Full-time (FT) = 12+ college credits each semester
- Part-time (PT) = 3-11 college credits each semester
FAFSA - All TREP applicants should still submit their FAFSA and apply to chosen colleges. If a student receives financial aid that exceeds TREP funding, the student should accept financial aid and decline TREP placement.