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ASCENT & CE Programs Update

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NEW! (April 2024)

HB24-1393 was passed during the 2024 legislative session and resulted in changes to the ASCENT and Concurrent Enrollment programs.

  • Changes are effective as of April 18, 2024.
  • Update websites and documents to reflect the changes.

 

 

2024 Changes:

ASCENT students must apply for FAFSA/CAFSA

  • ASCENT students must apply and submit a FAFSA/CAFSA application.
  • However, ASCENT students cannot accept federal or state financial aid.
  • Students who are fully Pell grant-eligible may find that attending college as a first-time undergraduate student provides a better financial aid package than participating in ASCENT.

ASCENT Participation is capped by district

  • Starting in the 2025-26 school year, ASCENT participation is capped by district at the rate of participation for that district in the 2024-25 school year.
  • The cap is based on the actual number of ASCENT students submitted in the 2024-25 Student October Count process for that district.
  • If a district does not use all their slots in a given year, slots cannot be reallocated to other districts.

Change in ASCENT Per Pupil Revenue

  • ASCENT per pupil revenue is capped at the Extended High School rate for 2023-24 at $9,586 per full-time student.
  • The Extended High School rate for other programs (TREP and P-TECH) has been updated for 2024-25 and is a different amount than the ASCENT rate.

 

ASCENT Webinars
and Guidance

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Access Guidance​ 

June 2022 Changes:

As a result of the passage of the Public School Finance bill (HB22-1390), significant changes were made to the ASCENT and Concurrent Enrollment programs.

  • Please review the language and consult with your district.

  • Update documents to reflect the changes.

  • Changes went into effect after June 30, 2022.

Removal of ASCENT slots - Any eligible student may participate in ASCENT

  • The cap of 500 ASCENT slots statewide is removed.

  • Therefore, there is no ASCENT allocation model.

  • Any eligible student may participate in the ASCENT program if they meet eligibility requirements.

ASCENT eligibility change - 9 postsecondary credit hours 

  • The local education provider (LEP) may designate a qualified student as an ASCENT program participant.

  • The number of postsecondary credit hours required to be eligible to participate in the ASCENT program is now 9 (reduced from 12).

ASCENT Funding

  • Local education providers (LEPs) will utilize the Student October Count file as the mechanism to submit funding for ASCENT students. (Watch technical assistance webinar.)

  • In addition, districts and charter schools will report to CDE the estimated number of ASCENT participants for the upcoming school year, and CDE will report the total estimated participants to the General Assembly as part of its budget request. (Learn more about the estimated number submission here.)

LEPs can no longer require repayment from students who do not complete concurrent enrollment courses or earn a failing grade

  • The language in 22-35-105(4)(a-c) detailing repayment is now removed.

  • This includes courses taken in concurrent enrollment, ASCENT, and TREP programs.

 

Contact

Erica Ryan, Postsecondary Programs Specialist

720-576-4288

 

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Financial transparency

Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.

 

Contact Us

Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
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See also Licensing Hours