Tuition and Fees

A student is classified as an in-state or out-of-state student for tuition purposes at the time of admission. This classification is based on information supplied by the student on the application for admission and is made in accordance with the Colorado Tuition Classification Law (Title 23, Article 7, of the Colorado revised Statutes of 1973), as amended. Once determined, a student’s tuition classification status remains unchanged unless satisfactory evidence that a change should be made is presented. If a student believes that he or she is entitled to in-state status, the student must submit the In-state Tuition Classification form, along with evidence of in-state status to the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline dates.

The tuition classification statute requires that, in order to qualify for in-state status, a student (or the parents or legal guardian of the student in the case of students under 23 years of age who are not emancipated) must have been domiciled in Colorado for one year or more immediately preceding the first day of the semester for which such classification is sought.

Domicile for tuition purposes requires two inseparable elements: (1) a permanent place of habitation in Colorado and (2) intent to remain in Colorado with no intent to be domiciled elsewhere. Some examples of connections with the state that provide objective evidence of intent are: (1) payment of Colorado state income tax as a Colorado resident, (2) permanent employment in Colorado, (3) ownership of residential real estate property in Colorado, (4) compliance with laws imposing a mandatory duty on any domiciliary of the state, such as the drivers’ license law and the vehicle registration law and (5) registration to vote. Other factors unique to the individual can also be used to demonstrate the requisite intent.

Any questions regarding the tuition classification law should be directed to an admissions officer in the Office of Admissions or the Tuition Classification Officer with the Office of the Registrar. In order to qualify for in-state status for a particular semester, the student must prove that domicile began no later than one year prior to the first day of classes for that semester. Refer to the Academic Calendar (www.mscd.edu/academic/acal.htm) for term deadlines and to submit petitions.

House Bill 1023 Verification of Lawful Presence

HB06S-1023, which was signed into law on July 31, 2006, requires institutions of higher education to verify lawful presence of all applicants for public post-secondary education benefits.  The bill requires all citizens who apply for state benefits to provide proof of lawful presence in the U.S.  These benefits include in-state tuition, the College Opportunity Fund, state and institutional funding, and any other state-funded benefits that entail any payment or financial assistance.

Any student whose lawful presence is verified through the process of completing a College Opportunity Fund (COF) application or who is verified through the FAFSA may be considered to have met the requirements. Students who are unable to be verified through FAFSA or COF must complete a HB 1023 Affidavit form and provide a copy of identification supporting lawful presence in the U.S. to the Office of the Registrar.

Applicants who fail to meet verification requirements will be subject to nonresident tuition and removal of state funding.

Every eligible Colorado resident who will be a student must apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) in order to authorize payment of the state’s contribution toward tuition at any public college or university in the State of Colorado, including Metropolitan State College of Denver.

These funds, called “stipends,” will be applied to a student’s college account each semester and are available for up to 145 credit hours of college-level, undergraduate study. The actual value of the stipend will be determined by the Colorado Legislature each year.

Students must apply online for the stipend at CollegeInColorado.org (select College Opportunity Fund). Students must authorize the use of the stipend each semester during registration in MetroConnect.

The COF application requires students to submit their legal name, date of birth, Social Security Number, and Driver’s License Number only once in a student’s lifetime. The application must be completed before the stipend can be credited to a student’s tuition and fee bill.

Students who do not apply for and/or authorize COF will not be eligible for the stipend and will be responsible for paying the total in-state tuition – both the student’s share and the state’s share.

Eligibility: In-state, undergraduate students will be eligible for the stipend, up to 145 credit hours of college-level, undergraduate study, regardless of age, income or financial aid status. If a student goes over his or her 145-lifetime-credit hour cap, the student may apply for a one-time, one year waiver of up to 30 credits. All waiver requests must have an advisor’s signature and must include a personal statement demonstrating substantial economic hardship, as well as an explanation as to why more than 145 credits is needed in order to obtain the degree. 

For more information, visit the College’s Q&A section on COF at: www.mscd.edu/news/cof.

The Board of Trustees, the governing board of the College, reserves the right to alter any or all tuition and fees for any semester without notice.

Tuition and college service fees are determined by the trustees shortly before the beginning of each academic year. Information regarding tuition and fees can be found by going to the Tuition and Fees Table on Metro State’s website (www.mscd.edu/studentaccounts/tuition_dates_deadlines).

An application fee is required of all applicants for admission to the College. This fee is nonrefundable and will not be applied to tuition.

Late Registration Fee

Metro State will administer a $100 service charge to students registering for Term 1 Fall and Spring semester classes past the posted late registration date on the Academic Calendar and the appropriate fall/spring schedule. Term 1 classes are those scheduled during the full 16-week fall and spring semesters, including online classes and classes held at Metro North and Metro South. This fee does not apply to Winterim, Summer session courses or other parts of term classes. This fee is classified as a User Fee and Charge for Service under the Student Fee Plan and will be assessed at the time of registration.  Exceptions include students registered only for non-Term 1 classes, Metro State employees who are taking advantage of the tuition-reimbursement benefit and not allowed to register prior to the first day of classes, and students who were placed on waitlists prior to the late registration date, yet absorbed later. Appeals will be handled initially through the Office of Enrollment Services and ultimately through Office of the Bursar whose decision will be final.

NOT included as exceptions:

• Part-time students taking Term 1 classes
• Non-degree students taking Term 1 classes
• Any other students taking Term I classes other than those described as exceptions above

All undergraduate and graduate students taking nine (9) credit hours or more in any given semester are required to submit proof of having health insurance that meets the College compliance standards, which include the current Federal requirements for health insurance. When submitting an “Insurance Selection” form students may select to participate in the College sponsored health insurance plan in order to fulfill this requirement or submit proof of existing outside health insurance that meets the College’s compliance standards. 

Students choosing to participate in the College-offered plan will pay their insurance premium directly to a third-party insurance billing agency. When a student registers for nine (9) or more credit hours they will receive an automatic email sent to their Metro State email account that explains how to submit an online, electronic Insurance Selection form. This form should be submitted immediately after receiving the automatic compliance requirement email from the College in order to ensure timely processing; no Insurance Compliance Forms are accepted after the compliance deadline for the current semester.

Failure to comply with the College’s health insurance compliance requirement will result in having a registration hold placed on a student’s account which will prevent future registration. This hold will remain in effect until health insurance coverage that meets the College’s compliance standards has been submitted, audited and approved.

If you have any questions, please contact the Student Health Insurance Office at 303-556-2525 or stop by the office located in the Plaza Building, suite 149.

Students must comply with the Immunization Policy requirements within their first semester of attendance, in order to be eligible to register for future semesters.  Non-compliant students will have registration holds put on their accounts if they have not completed the policy requirements by the published deadline during their first semester of attendance. The summer and fall enrollee deadline is October 1; the spring enrollee deadline is March 1.

Who is required to comply with this policy?

All Metro State students are required to comply with this policy. This includes students who are active military duty and studying abroad. For assistance, call 303-556-2525 and press “8” for more information.

The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Meningitis and TB Risk Assessment Requirements

1. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Requirement

Students born after January 1, 1957 must provide documented proof that they have received two rubeola (measles), two rubella (German measles) and two mumps vaccinations OR two combination MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella.)*

Students born before January 1, 1957 must provide documented proof that they have received one rubeola (measles), one rubella (German measles) and one mumps vaccination OR one combination MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella.) *

*An alternative option is to provide wri tten evidence of laboratory tests (known as a blood titer test for immunity) showing immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella for those who have previously had each of these diseases. If you cannot provide proof of Immunization or positive blood titer tests, you will have to be re-immunized.

2. Meningococcal Disease Information Requirement

State Law requires all post secondary education institutions to provide information regarding Meningococcal Disease to students. Scientific evidence suggests that college students living in dormitory facilities (communal environments) or congregate settings are at a higher risk of contracting this serious disease. An immunization that can prevent against four types of Meningococcal disease is available. Although the State requirement is only to inform students about Meningococcal disease and the associated vaccine, the Health Center at Auraria highly recommends students at high risk consider being immunized against this disease. This immunization is available at the Auraria Immunization office or you may contact your private physician for more information. All students must sign and submit the meningococcal disease information sheet acknowledging that they have received this critical information.

3. Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Requirement

All new students are required to complete a TB risk assessment questionnaire. These will be reviewed by the medical staff at the Health Center at Auraria. The cost for this test is $10.00. For more Information on Tuberculosis, contact the Health Center.

PPD (Tuberculosis) Testing is available at the Immunization office for $10.00. PPD testing is done on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. and on Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Voluntary Dental Insurance is available to students taking one credit hour or more. Information and application forms can be obtained at the Student Insurance Office in the Health Center at Auraria (PL 149).