Office of Counseling- College & Career - Colorado Springs Schools District 11

Office of Counseling-College & Career

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School Counselors support each student in developing an Individual Career & Academic Plan (ICAP)! ICAP is a multi-year process that intentionally guides students and families in the exploration of career, academic and postsecondary opportunities. D11 students should have a meaningful, relevant experience during their education in which they plan for and articulate their future goals. Through the ICAP process, students will have the opportunity to create their Individual Career and Academic Plan through the objectives below:

D11 Promise

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The Colorado Springs School District 11 offers a scholarship program to give graduating seniors the promise of free college at Pikes Peak State College.

The Promise Program at PPSC is a scholarship in three parts.

It guarantees to cover tuition, fees and the majority of required classroom materials for up to three years or 60 credit hours, whichever comes first, as long as the student remains in Good Standing with Financial Aid requirements.
This program also offers personalized coaching to help students achieve academic success each semester and throughout their time at PPSC.
It offers holistic development so that students can envision their future as they embark on their journey after graduating.

Promise Program is funded through a combination of federal grants, state grants, and college scholarships. Students do not have to pay back any of these funds.

This opportunity is available to qualifying D11 graduates.

D11 Promise Scholars are required to do the following for program eligibility:

Graduate from a D11 high school or D11 charter high school with a 2.5 or better GPA and qualify for in-state tuition.
Achieve 90% attendance records or better at their D11 high school
Complete a FASFA and/or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) application.
Enroll at PPSC within 18 months of high school graduation.
Maintain a 2.0 GPA at PPSC to maintain eligibility.

For more information, contact your school counselor.

Finding A College That Fits: Online Colleges & Universities

Online Colleges

Online Colleges

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Finding A College That Fits: 2-4 Year Colleges & Universities

2-4 year Colleges

2-4 year Colleges

Financial Aid

Federal Government Aid

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The U.S. Department of Education awards about $150 billion every year to help millions of students pay for college. Types of aid include:

Grants

Grants are typically awarded on the basis of need and generally, do not have to be repaid. Federal Pell Grants are usually awarded to undergraduate students who have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the 2025-2026 award year is $7395. Students can receive the Federal Pell Grant for up to the equivalent of 12 semesters.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

FSEOG are awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the award is determined by the college's financial aid.

Student Loans

Loans consist of money that the student borrows to help pay for college, and must be repaid (plus interest). There are two federal student loan programs.

The Federal Perkins Loan Program is a campus-based program that provides low-interest loans to undergraduate and graduate students.
The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program enables students and parents to borrow money at low interest rates directly from the federal government.
The Direct Loan Program
- Direct Stafford Loans, and Direct PLUS Loans, which are available to parents of dependent students. A Direct Stafford Loan might be subsidized or unsubsidized. Direct PLUS Loans are always unsubsidized. Subsidized loans the federal government pays the interest while the borrower is in college and during deferment. Unsubsidized loans the borrower must pay all accrued interest on unsubsidized loans.

Federal Work Study Program

The Federal Work-Study Program enables students to earn money during the school year while also gaining valuable work experience, typically in part-time, career-related jobs

State Government Aid

Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA): CASFA is a safe, easy way to apply for state financial aid if you are not eligible to apply for FAFSA. Find out more about CASFA.

College Opportunity Fund (COF): Find out more about the College Opportunity Fund (COF).

Colorado Work-Study: Part-time employment program designed to assist students with financial need or work experience. Contact your Colorado college/university for more information.

Dependent Tuition Assistance Program: DTAP recognizes the contributions of public servants who were killed or disabled in the line of duty. The program provides financial assistance to attend eligible institutions for dependents of a deceased or permanently disabled:

law enforcement officer
firefighter
member of the national guard
prisoner of war
person missing in action

Email DTAP.Mailbox@dhe.state.co.us for link to electronic application.

Some states, local governments, colleges, community organizations, private employers, and other organizations award scholarships based on academic ability or other factors. For more information, visit StudentAid.gov.

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