The COSI Achieve grant pairs funding for scholarships with holistic support services, ensuring that all students participating in the program receive both. The program is a result of COSI's Program Review & Redesign, a project that began in 2023 which aimed to combine two of COSI's grant programs: Matching Student Scholarship and Community Partner Program - Postsecondary.
After exploring many possibilities and receiving feedback from current COSI grantees, COSI Board members, and Stakeholders, COSI is releasing its Request for Proposals for COSI Achieve. The program will support providers representing Colorado Public Institutions of Higher Education and Non-Profit Organizations:
- Request for Proposal - Institutions of Higher Education
- Request for Proposal - Non-Profit Organizations
The COSI Review & Redesign is a four-phase process. We are now in Phas3 3: Application Phase. Please note that interested eligible organizations will need to apply this application in order to be eligible for funding over the four-year award period.
Interested organizations should review the timeline and get involved in COSI's technical support offerings listed below.
Ask a question about COSI Achieve
- COSI Board Decisions & Updates
September 18, 2024, Board Meeting
July 18, 2024, Board Meeting
The Board approved the following items at the September 18, 2024 meeting.
The total amount of funds available for the joint program.
The Board approved $8.5M annually for the joint program.
IHE pool funding
A total of $6.1M in IHE funds
Weighted Factors to determine institutions.
35% Up to 250% Pell-eligible headcount
1% Area Technical College Adjustment
25% Community College Adjustment
25% Equity Adjustment
14% Rural Adjustment
Minimums
All institutions are eligible for a minimum of $75K allocation to support 50 students.
Institutions with more than 1000 students and up to 250% Pell-eligible will receive a minimum allocation of $225K to support 150 students.
NPOs pool funding
A total of $2M in funding pool.
50 students minimum.
Receive $ 1,000 per student for scholarships
Receive $500 per student for wraparound supports
Click here for funding and allocation breakdowns.
The Board approved the following items at the July 18, 2024, COSI Board Retreat.
Funding Model: Separating IHE and NPO pools of funding
IHE pool funding factors
250% Pell-eligible headcount
Area Technical College Adjustment
Community College Adjustment
Equity Adjustment
Rural Adjustment
NPO pool funding factors
Based on the estimated expected students served
Receive XXXX per student for scholarships
Receive XXXX per student for wraparound supports
Supplemental Funding
5% one-time
3% annual increase in personal budget
We anticipate the COSI Board will vote on the following at the September meeting.
The total amount of funds available for both pools (IHE and NPO)
The percentage amounts for each of the IHE factors
The amounts for each of the CBO factors
- Timeline
Carefully review the proposal timeline, as late submissions and incomplete proposals will not be accepted.
Activity
Proposal Period Dates
RFP Release
January 2025
COSI Technical Assistance Proposal Support: Round 1
February - June 2025
Proposal Portal Open for Pre-Proposals
May 5, 2025
Pre-Proposal Due
June 29, 2025
Availability of Additional Funding Announced
July 14, 2025
COSI Technical Assistance Proposal Support: Round 2
July-August 2025
Proposal Portal Opens for Full Proposals
July 28, 2025
Proposals Due
September 1, 2025
COSI Advisory Board Meeting
November 2025
Notification of Award
December 2025
COSI Technical Assistance Program Design Phase
January -June 2026
COSI Achieve Award Period Begins
July 1, 2026
- Website Series
The table below outlines the schedule for live, remote opportunities to engage with the COSI staff as a part of Round 1 of the COSI Achieve TA series. Organizations considering submitting a proposal should plan on attending.
Date
Description
Registration
February 13, 2025, at 10 am
A virtual informational webinar for all organizations. The webinar will be recorded.
February 21, 2025
IHE-10 am
NPO-1 pm
Virtual informal Q & A sessions by organization type.
February 28, 2025
NPO-10 am
IHE-1 pm
Virtual informal Q & A sessions by organization type.
- Regional Workshops
The table outlines opportunities to engage with COSI staff in person across Colorado as part of Round 1 of the COSI Achieve TA series. The in-person workshops will provide an opportunity for current COSI grantees, new organizations, and their partners to work with COSI staff and review program design and proposals.
We encourage organizations to work across departments, develop design teams, and bring everyone together to discuss and ensure a shared understanding of the program changes and their impacts on current and future programming.
Registration is required for these events. Please use this link to register for one or more workshops.
Date
Time
Location
March 13, 2025
9 am-4 pm
Community College of Aurora
March 26, 2025
9 am-4 pm
Red Rocks Community College
April
9 am-4 pm
TBD: Southern Colorado
April 28, 2025
9 am-4 pm
University of Northern Colorado
May 16, 2025
9 am-4 pm
Colorado Mountain College-Glenwood Springs
- Resources