Dependent Tuition Assistance Program

Application Period

A DTAP application must be submitted for consideration with required documentation to accommodate the application.  The DTAP application is open March 1st through June 30th. 

Apply here

Who is Eligible?

Dependents of:

• Colorado Law Enforcement Officer
• Colorado Firefighter
• Colorado Member of the National Guard  
• Prisoner of War
• Person Missing in Action

Who were:

• Permanently disabled while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter.
• Killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter. 

Do I Qualify As a Dependent?   

A dependent is:

• Any natural child born or conceived of the qualifying parent. as a prisoner of war, was declared a person missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter.
• Any child lawfully adopted, or for which formal adoption procedures were commenced, before the time either of said child's adoptive parents served as a prisoner of war, was declared a person missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter.
• Any child in the legal custody of, or for which proceedings for custody were initiated by, either of said child's parents before the time such parent served as a prisoner of war, was declared a person missing in action, served on state active duty or authorized training duty as a Colorado national guardsman, or was permanently disabled or killed while acting to preserve the public peace, health, and safety in the capacity of police officer, sheriff, or other law enforcement officer or firefighter. 
• Marriage is not allowed while participating in the Dependent Tuition Assistance Program. It is for dependents only. 

What Documentation is Required to Determine Parent Eligibility? 

The Colorado Department of Higher Education collects all documents containing personal identifiable information (PII) via Biscom Transit, a secured portal utilized to transmit PII safely and securely. 

Required supporting documents:

• Fire and Police Pension Association (FPPA) Award Letter.
• FPPA Medical Advisor's Summary or Death Certificate.
• An official letter or departmental documentation verifying liability:
  • A letter from a commanding officer certifying the time and circumstances of the event resulting in permanent disability or death and that when the event occurred, the police officer or fireman was under the direction and control of the governmental entity and not privately employed on a part-time or full-time basis by another party.
  • A General Admission of Liability from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment-Division of Worker’s Compensations.
  • A Preliminary Departmental Report of Injury or Illness about the incident that resulted in permanent disability or death.
  • An Initial Disability Administrative Decision by the Death and Disability Review Committee (DDRC) of the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA).  

What Documentation Do I Need to Submit With My DTAP Application? 

The Colorado Department of Higher Education collects all documents containing personal identifiable information (PII) via Biscom Transit, a secured portal utilized to transmit PII safely and securely. 

• A copy of your birth certificate, proof of adoption, or proof of custody. 
• Provide copies of all required supporting documentation determining parental eligibility. 
• Must provide a copy of the FAFSA Submission Summary  
  • Dependents must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually 
• Must apply for the College Opportunity Fund (one-time application).  

What Type of Institution Can I Attend? 

• In-state public two and four year institutions, including local district colleges and area vocational technical schools.
• In-state private colleges, universities, and private vocational (proprietary) schools approved for participation by CDHE.
• Out-of-state public and private four-year institutions. 

What Expenses Does DTAP Cover? 

In-State Institutions:

• Dependents attending Colorado public institutions are eligible for tuition only plus room and board, of the institution 
  • Required institutional fees are not covered.
• Dependents attending eligible Colorado non-public institutions are eligible for tuition benefits that do not exceed the cost of tuition at a comparable Colorado public institution and room and board charges which are not to exceed the average cost of room and board of a comparable Colorado public institution.
  • Required institutional fees are not covered.

Out-of-state institutions

• DTAP covers tuition only at out-of-state institutions, and tuition assistance is based on tuition at a comparable Colorado public institution for the previous year, or the actual costs, whichever is less.  
  • Room and board are not covered.  
  • Required institutional fees are not covered. 

Note: Payments are made directly to the institution after census date each semester. 

Room and Board Benefits Explained 

• Dependents attending in-state public institutions must reside in a standard double-occupancy room offered through the residence life hall to receive room and board benefits at the institution’s base rates.  
• If the dependent lives off-campus, room and board are not reimbursed.
• Dependents attending a Colorado public, non-residential institution and does not live at home, is eligible for tuition only plus a $1,000 per semester stipend. 
  • Submission of additional supporting documentation is required.
  • If the dependent attends a Colorado non-public institution, the dependent is eligible for tuition not to exceed the average tuition charged at a comparable Colorado public institution and room and board charges which are not to exceed the average cost of room and board of a comparable Colorado public institution. 
• Room and board are not covered at out-of-state institutions.  

How Long Are DTAP Benefits Available? 

Qualified dependents are eligible to pursue an undergraduate study leading to a first baccalaureate degree or a certificate of completion. 

• Benefits do not exceed eight academic semesters.
• Dependents have up to a maximum of six years from the date of initial enrollment to complete a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion. 
  • This option is available for students requesting a medical withdrawal.
  • Submission of additional supporting documentation is required.
• The DTAP program does not cover tuition for the summer semester(s) or winter quarter(s).  

Requirements as a DTAP participant

• Must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually
• Complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release each academic year with your institution authorizing permission to the Colorado Department of Higher Education access to all student records.  
• Contact the Office of Financial Aid to inform the institution you are a DTAP participant 
• If attending an out-of-state school, please contact the Office of Financial Aid to inform the institution you are a DTAP participant.  
  • Collect contact information for Third Party Billing.
  • Please provide DTAP with the third-party billing information —failure to do so will delay payment to your institution.   
• If transferring to another institution, you must notify the DTAP program immediately. Students are required to submit an unofficial transcript from the previous institution and an unofficial transcript for the new institution indicating course enrollment.  Failure to do so will delay continuity of benefits.  
• Complete your undergraduate program or certificate of completion within eight academic semesters or six years from date of first enrollment 
• Notify the program of the following changes:
  • Contact information  
  • Transfer to a new college or university
  • Request a Medical withdrawal  

Maintaining Student Eligibility

• Maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students have one year to achieve the 2.5 GPA after entering the program.
  • If the GPA falls below 2.5, funding will be suspended for the following academic semester.  
  • Funding can be reinstated once the GPA meets the requirement and supporting documentation has been provided.
• Students must complete the FAFSA on an annual basis and submit a copy to the DTAP program via the secured portal to collect PII.  
• Complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) release each academic year with the institution authorizing permission to the Colorado Department of Higher Education access to all student records.  

Financial Planning

• Be aware of the benefits covered by the DTAP program.
• Plan accordingly for required institutional fees not covered by the DTAP program.
• Plan accordingly if you intend to enroll in summer courses.   
• Keep track of semesters completed through the duration of your academic journey. 
  • maximum program participation is eight semesters
• Monitor the 6-year completion timeline, if you received a medical withdrawal. 
• To expedite payments, please coordinate with the institutions Financial Aid Office to inform of your acceptance to the DTAP program.

Contact Information

Questions can be directed to:

DTAP.mailbox@dhe.state.co.us