LOCAL

Bent County COSI Scholarships still available

Staff Writer
LA Junta Tribune

Bent County residents who are attending Lamar Community College or Otero Junior College this academic year still have time to apply for Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Scholarships. The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 31.

Last year, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (DHE) announced a unique opportunity for Colorado counties and public colleges to grow scholarship funds utilizing the State's COSI Initiative. The Scholarship initiative seeks to partner with counties, institutions of higher education, and workforce development organizations to form local scholarship programs throughout the state. Bent County had an allocation of $8,463 to create $16,926 in scholarships with a 1:1 matching scholarship program. The Bent County Board of Commissioners provided the entire match to secure the maximum amount of COSI funds available to Bent County resident students. Over $14,000 is still available to Bent County students for the 2016-2017 academic year.

COSI Scholarships are available to students who are completing a certificate of study or degree and enrolled in a rigor-based student service program. Individuals must demonstrate aid eligibility by completing the FAFSA (at fafsa.gov). Students and families who have an Estimated Family Contribution of up to $13,095 (or up to 250 percent of Pell eligibility) are welcome to apply. Special consideration will be given to students from underrepresented populations. Apply for Bent County COSI and other scholarships at www.lamarcc.edu/scholarships or through OJC at www.ojc.edu/scholarships.aspx.

Additional financial aid is available to students through state and federal grants and institutional scholarships. Completing the FAFSA is the best way for students to open opportunities for state and federal aid, while students are also encouraged to apply for additional scholarships. At LCC, students can still apply for Johnson Foundation Financial Awards or an Ark Valley Board of Realtors Scholarship at www.lamarcc.edu/scholarships.

Courses at both colleges are starting now. LCC and OJC also offer a full array of online courses through CCCOnline. CCCOnline has four sessions this fall with standard term, fast track, and late start courses available, beginning Aug. 29 to Oct. 31.

The Colorado DHE is committed to reducing the "Attainment Gap," which is the disparity between Coloradans who traditionally go to college and Coloradans who are historically less likely to go to college. The DHE is working toward that goal through a variety of ways, including addressing college affordability through programs like the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative.

For more information on enrolling at LCC or OJC this fall, see www.lamarcc.edu or www.ojc.edu.