The following e-mail message was sent to all undergraduate resident students of record on January 12, 2005.

Subject: An Important Message from Vice President Cheuvront
From: Harold Cheuvront
Reply-To: cofquestions@mines.edu
Date: Wed 12 Jan 2005 9:08:03 -0700
To:ugrad-residents@mines.edu

College Opportunity Fund e-mail from Dr. Cheuvront
CSM Logo (web site link)

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

TO:      CSM Undergraduate Resident Students
FROM:    Dr. Harold Cheuvront, Vice President and Dean of Students
DATE:    January 12, 2005
SUBJECT: College Opportunity Fund


Dear Students – Below is an important announcement about the College Opportunity Fund.

Beginning in the Fall 2005 semester, the State will provide funding to institutions through student stipends instead of directly to the School. This is a significant change in how state monies are provided to institutions and questions may arise throughout the process. As a result, we have established a hotline to respond to any questions (303) 384-COFS (2637) or you may reply directly to this e-mail. It is important that all current students apply now for this program to ensure the stipend is reflected on your tuition bill for the Fall 2005 semester. Below is more information on how to complete this short two minute application. Students failing to apply will not be eligible to receive a state stipend. I appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Harold Cheuvront
Vice President Student Life and Dean of students



ATTENTION: CSM Resident Undergraduate Students
APPLY NOW for State Stipends
through the College Opportunity Fund


COF Logo (web link)

Resident undergraduate students should APPLY NOW for the new state stipends, which will go into effect beginning the fall semester of 2005.

During the last legislative session, the Colorado state legislature approved the College Opportunity Fund bill that changes how higher education receives funding from the State. Instead of schools receiving a direct appropriation from the State for undergraduate resident students, these students will now receive a State stipend of an estimated $80 per credit hour. Beginning in the fall semester 2005, eligible resident undergraduate students will see State support provided as a stipend offset on their total tuition bill. As a result, tuition bills will need to be adjusted to reflect the total price of attending higher education. Despite a higher perceived level of resident tuition, once the stipend is applied, you will be responsible for roughly the same tuition price you are today.


Table 1: Comparison of Student’s Share of In-State Tuition
In-State Undergraduate Tuition Costs
per year at CSM
AY 2005
Tuition
AY 2005 Tuition If Under
the Stipend Program
Estimated Resident UG Total In-State Tuition
$6,336.00
$8,736.00
Estimated COF Stipend - For eligible resident undergraduate students
$0.00
$2,400.00
Estimated Student's Share of In-State Tuition
$6,336.00
$6,336.00
Based on 15 credit hours



As table 1 illustrates, eligible resident undergraduate students who apply for the stipend will not be responsible for covering costs greater than traditionally charged.

*****  To receive the stipend, resident undergraduate students must submit a  *****
one-time application for the program on the Colorado Access Network’s
CSM College Opportunity Fund (COF) Website at:

http://www.mines.edu/admin/cof/


STUDENTS FAILING TO APPLY WILL NOT RECEIVE A STATE STIPEND.

For additional information on the College Opportunity Fund, please visit the following websites: