The MSS 2023-2024 application season opens September 5th.
The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative is releasing a request for proposals for up to $6.5 million dollars in funding for its Matching Student Scholarship program. Recipients of COSI's MSS program must match the award given by the state 1:1, generating a total of $13 million in new scholarship funds for Colorado students. Non-profit organizations - 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(4), and their partners are eligible to apply. MSS grants will be awarded within three different categories or program models: County and Institutions of Higher Education.
- County to provide funding for county residents at public institutions of higher education in the state. This funding is available to one applicant, specifically non-profit organizations, and institution foundations, the COSI Advisory board determines the allocation on an annual basis.
- Public Institutions of Higher Education for use at the institution. This funding is available to one applicant, specifically institution foundations, the COSI Advisory board determines the allocation on an annual basis.
- Proposal Elements
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All proposals must be submitted by the date(s) indicated in the Timeline section. The proposal consists of the areas outlined below:
Intent to Apply-indicate the funds (county or IHE) for which the organization intends to apply and the general organization information and signatory details.
Application-consists of five sections and can be accessed in the portal once the Intent to Apply is completed. An Application Review is provided in this RFP.
1. Program Design
- Essentials-COSI’s minimum eligibility requirements and any criteria set by the organization that a student must meet to receive a scholarship.
- Scholarship Program Essentials- Any criteria set by the organization that a student must meet to receive a scholarship.
- Pick The Focus- Identify the population of focus for scholarships and credential type.
- Pick The Grant Timeline- identify the grant term, including start term, length, and first semester funds will be disbursed.
- Pick The Award Design- Identify the award structure, weather it will be renewable or a single year award.
- Grantee Goals & Objectives- provide a program summary of the scholarship program, and annual student disbursement schedule which includes the number of expected students to be served, the amount of each scholarship, how much will be disbursed per semester, and how much will be disbursed for the year.
- Pick The Approach to Student Supports-student support programs that will provide the required rigor-based student support services.
- Rigor-based services offered- services that MSS Scholars will receive.
- Matching Funds- summary of strategies and fundraising efforts to be utilized to meet the 1:1 required match.
2. Invoice Schedule-outline of the expected (1) incoming funds received by the applicant as new matching funds; (2) payments from the State in the template provided in the online
system.
3. Reporting Requirements-acknowledgement and commitment to reporting requirements
4. Assurances- certify acknowledgment of assurances.
COSI Matching Student Scholarship 2022-2023_Request for Proposal
5. Letter(s) of Support or Resolution- Board of County Commissioners or institutional advisory board, if applicableClick here to access the Request for Proposal for an outline of each section.
- Proposal Submission
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COSI encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with the requirements, process, and application process and attend the informational webinars and application support sessions outlined in the Timeline section.
- Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
- Please do not contact individual staff; instead, please review the proposal and attend the application support opportunities for information and questions. See timeline for dates.
- This RFP provides an Application Preview to help prepare the application before submitting it.
- Proposals are accepted via the COSI portal.
- Complete the portal registration at any time. Click here for detailed portal registration instructions.
- If the organization has a SurveyMonkey Apply account, please use that account to apply.
- Access to the application will be available on September 5, 2023.
All proposals submitted to the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and the Colorado Department of Higher Education are public records and should not contain confidential data. CDHE is subject to the Colorado Open Records Act and must release full proposals when requested.
- Request for Proposal
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Click the button below for access to the COSI MSS request for proposal.
- Timeline
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Please carefully review the application timeline as late submissions and incomplete applications will not be accepted. The COSI board will review applications twice during the 2023-2024 academic period.
- County and institution of higher education applications will be accepted throughout the two application cycles
Application Task
Fall 2023
Spring 2024
RFP Released
August 14, 2023
Application Portal Opens
September 5, 2023
Intent to Apply
September 18, 2023
January 8, 2024
Application Due
October 1, 2023
February 11, 2024
COSI Board Meeting
Board meets to review and select awardees
November 15, 2023
March 20, 2024
Grant Award Notification
Applicants are notified of the Board’s decision
November 29, 2023
April 3, 2024
- Application Support
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The COSI team will provide an informational webinar and application support sessions to support you in accessing the portal and completing the application. Please take time to review the full request for proposal and prepare your questions for the application webinar.
Informational Webinars and Application Support Sessions
Date
Zoom Details
Application Informational Webinar Available
Fall Application Support Sessions
September 12, 2023, at 1:00 pm,
Application Support Session, please view
the Informational Webinar above before
attending the support sessionLink
Phone: 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 881 2852 0204 /Passcode: 942755September 28, 2023, at 9 am,
Application Support Session, please view the Informational Webinar above before attending the support sessionLink
Phone: 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 810 6588 0338 /Passcode: 408454Spring Application Support Sessions
January 5, 2024, at 9:00 am,
Application Support Session, please view the Informational Webinar above before attending the support sessionPhone: 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 880 3371 3436 /Passcode: 738745February 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm,
Application Support Session, please view the Informational Webinar above before attending the support session
Link
Phone: 669-900-6833
Meeting ID: 824 3137 3344 /Passcode: 250131