Tuition and Fees

Tuition Classification

Students are classified as either a resident or non-resident of Colorado for tuition purposes at the time of admission. Colorado Tuition Classification is governed by State Law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado Revised Statutes) and by judicial decisions that apply to all public institutions of higher education in Colorado and is subject to change at any time. Residency decisions do not transfer between Colorado colleges. Pikes Peak State College must apply the rules set forth in the residency statutes and is not free to make exceptions to the rules except as specifically permitted by law. 

Changes in Tuition Classification

Any student who believes that the initial tuition classification decision is incorrect, their circumstances have changed, or they have additional information that would demonstrate eligibility to be reclassified, may submit documentation via our Residency webpage. 

Deadlines

The final deadline to have your residency reclassified, for the term in which you are seeking reclassification, is the day before the next full-term semester begins.

College Opportunity Fund (COF)

The College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a trust fund created by the Colorado Legislature that provides a tuition stipend to eligible undergraduate students. COF is not a loan, does not affect financial aid, and does not need to be repaid. It is simply a tuition benefit provided by the State of Colorado to reduce the cost of in-state tuition.


To be eligible, students must be Colorado residents or otherwise qualify for in-state tuition rates. High school concurrent enrollment students and those using military or veteran benefits are also COF-eligible, regardless of residency status. 

The stipend is paid on a per-credit-hour basis directly to the college where the student is enrolled. The amount is set each year by the Colorado General Assembly, and the current rate is posted on the COF website. 

To receive the stipend, eligible undergraduate students must create a COF account and authorize COF in their PPSC Student Portal.

Estimated Per Credit Hour Base Tuition Calculation 2025-2026

Item Amount
Total estimated base in-state tuition $291.00
Minus estimated College Opportunity Fund Stipend $116.00
Student’s estimated share of in-state tuition $175.00

Tuition and Fees (2025-2026)

Tuition for In-State and Out-of-State1

The in-state tuition rate for 2025-2026 is $175.00 per credit hour after COF (see above). The out-of-state tuition rate for 2025-2026 is $718.35 per credit hour. There are some courses that have higher tuition rates. Please refer to the tuition and fee chart on our Tuition and Fees webpage for more information. 

Student Fees

The student fee rate for 2025-2026 is $16.94 per credit hour plus a $17.55 registration fee, and a $10.23 Bus Pass Fee.

Course Fees

Some courses have extra fees ranging from $3.00 per credit hour to $5,250.00 per course. Refer to our Tuition and Fees webpage for a detailed list.

1

Tuition and fees are set by the State Legislature and Governing Board late in the fiscal year and potential increases for the 2026-2027 year are unknown at the time of this printing. Tuition and fee rates for off-campus locations may vary according to operational costs.

Student Activity Fees

Mandatory fees are associated with enrollment in the college and/or campus and are assessed for a specific purpose. These fees include, but are not limited to, student centers, recreation, student government, contract health services, and/or similar services and facilities; non-bonded parking fees; and any general fee, the revenue from which is appropriated by student government for a specific purpose. Specific guidelines are provided in the PPSC Institutional Fee Plan.

Tuition Appeal/Adjustment

A Tuition Appeal is a formal process that allows students to request the removal of failed or withdrawn courses, corresponding grades (D, F, U, or W), and associated tuition from their student record. This process applies only when a student experiences a Qualifying Event during the semester that was beyond their control and not the result of personal choice.

Before submitting a Tuition Appeal, students are encouraged to review their financial aid and funding sources. Please contact the PPSC Financial Aid Office to determine whether deleting courses may affect reimbursement requirements. 

Retroactive Withdrawal

Students who wish to withdraw from a class after the official withdrawal deadline may request a Retroactive Withdrawal through the Tuition Appeal process.

Please note: 

  • A withdrawal differs from a course deletion. 
  • Students remain financially responsible for withdrawn courses. • A “W” grade will appear on the transcript for each withdrawn class. 

Processing Time

Tuition Appeals typically take 4–6 weeks to process. 

Tuition Appeals do not address: 

  • Technology or access issues 
  • Problems with textbooks or other course materials 
  • Complaints involving faculty or staff members 
  • Concerns about accessibility accommodations 

Tuition Adjustment Policy

To receive a tuition refund or adjustment, students must drop classes by the published deadline listed in the class schedule. No refunds or adjustments are granted after this date, except in rare cases reviewed through the appeal process. 

Appeal forms are available at Enrollment Services or online. Note that contract programs may follow different refund procedures. 

For detailed information about the Tuition Appeal process and qualifying events, please visit our Tuition Appeals webpage.  pikespeak.edu/admissions/records/tuitionappeals

Books

The bookstores at the Centennial and Rampart Range Campuses stock books and supplies needed for courses offered at that campus. A wide variety of other school supplies and PPSC insignia items are also available at the campus bookstores.

Textbooks may be purchased from our bookstore online at ppsc.bncollege.com. Course material information in accordance with the College Opportunity and Affordability Act is available at ppsc.bncollege.com.

The bookstores have several opportunities for you to sell your eligible books back. The demand for books and the condition of your books will determine eligibility for all buyback opportunities listed below.

  • "Top Dollar Buyback" is scheduled at the end of each semester. This is an opportunity for you to sell your books back for up to 50 percent of the bookstore purchase price.
  • Buybacks are also scheduled at the beginning of each term. This buyback offers wholesale value for your eligible books.
  • In addition, between scheduled buyback events, the bookstore will review your books for buyback eligibility daily. If eligible, we can pay you wholesale value for your books. This is available online or in one of our stores during normal business hours. There are circumstances where buyback proceeds may be applied to outstanding balances at the College.

Open Educational Resources (OER) and Affordable Course Materials

Pikes Peak State College is committed to reducing the cost of education through Open Educational Resources (OER) and affordable course materials. OER are high-quality, openly licensed educational materials that are free or low-cost alternatives to traditional textbooks. Benefits of OER courses: 

  • Zero or significantly reduced textbook costs 
  • Immediate access to materials on the first day of class 
  • Digital materials available 24/7 through D2L 

How to identify OER courses: 
Students can easily identify courses using OER or affordable materials during registration. Look for the OER designation in the course schedule, or visit our Affordable Materials webpage to search for courses with zero or low-cost materials.

Financial Aid

There are numerous financial resources available for students who attend Pikes Peak State College. Students should start the process by applying online for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application will explain which tax return and income information students need for reference and federal tax return information may also be transferred automatically from the IRS if the student has filed an electronic tax return at least two weeks prior to doing the FAFSA. This application is available online. If signed electronically, this process takes less than a week for the school to receive. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications for the next academic year (beginning in late August) were available October 1. To avoid delays, please complete the FAFSA and do so as soon as a decision is made to apply for admission to the College.

No other documentation is necessary until the U.S. Department of Education processes the request. If it is necessary for the school to request more information after the results have been received, notifications are made via the student’s college-assigned email.

To learn more about financial aid programs, how aid is distributed, student rights and responsibilities, or policies and procedures, please contact Enrollment Services or review this information online.

American Opportunity Tax Credit

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), more parents and students will qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) to help pay for college expenses.

The American Opportunity Tax Credit is available to a broad range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. It includes required course materials on the list of qualifying expenses and allows the credit to be claimed for four post-secondary education years. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student.

The full credit is available to individuals whose modified adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less, or $160,000 or less for married couples filing a joint return. The credit is phased out for taxpayers with incomes above these levels.

Earned Income Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable federal income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. When EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund to those who claim and qualify for the credit.

To qualify for EITC, or simply called EIC, you must have earned income from employment, self-employment or another source and meet certain rules. In addition, you must either meet the additional rules for Workers without a Qualifying Child or have a child that meets all the Qualifying Child Rules for you. Taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they do not have a filing requirement.

For more information, including help in determining whether individuals and their families qualify, visit the IRS website. Please consult this website before you file your taxes. It is estimated that 25 percent of all eligible individuals do not take advantage of this program.

The Child Tax Credit is a credit that may reduce your tax by as much as $1,000 for each of your qualifying children. The Additional Child Tax Credit is a credit that you may be able to take if you are not able to claim the full amount of the Child Tax Credit. You may not qualify for the Child Tax Credit, but qualify for the Additional Child Tax Credit.

Programs

There are four types of financial aid:

  • Scholarships are generally based on school grades, need, or accomplishments in a particular area of study.
  • Grants are federal and state programs based on demonstrated financial need.
  • Loans provide funds while students are attending school but must be repaid.
  • Work-study agreements allow students to work for the College while enrolled.

Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. The Student Financial Aid Handbook, available in Enrollment Services or online, describes each of these programs.

Foundation Scholarships

The Pikes Peak State College Foundation provides scholarship support to many PPSC students each year. Visit the PPSC Foundation Scholarships webpage for more information about available scholarships and how to apply. Questions can be directed to scholarships@pikespeak.edu.

Grants

  • Colorado Student Grants (CSG)
  • Federal Pell Grants (PELL)
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  • Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants (IASG)

Loans

  • Federal Direct Stafford Student Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
  • Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS)
  • Studentloans.gov allows students and parents meeting federal eligibility requirements to complete a Master Promissory Note for a Stafford and/or PLUS loan online.

Employment Opportunities

  • Federal College Work-Study Employment
  • Colorado Work-Study Employment
  • VA Work-Study Employment (See Military & Veterans Programs for more information)