ASCENT

Per legislation signed by the Governor 5/23/25, ASCENT will be discontinued after the 2025 - 2026 school year

In May 2025, the state passed legislation that eliminated the Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program after the 25/26 school year.  This means current seniors (graduating in 2026) will not be able to participate in ASCENT next year. We are all deeply disappointed ASCENT will cease to exist. To help students continue their postsecondary journey, we’ve compiled several resources that may provide financial support:

 

1. Earn Postsecondary Credits in High School
Take advantage of opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. This includes:

  • College-credit courses offered at your high school (high school select, AP, IB, CU Succeed)
  • Career pathway programs at the PSD Career Tech Center
  • Campus Select (courses taken on the college campus or online)

 

2. Complete the FAFSA or CASFA Early (October Senior Year)
Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) as soon as it opens. Applying early allows for better access to available funds.

  • Pell Grants: These are federal grants that do not need to be repaid

 

3. Explore Colorado Promise
The new Colorado Promise program offers a tax rebate for college expenses for the first two years of college (no more than 65 credits).

  • Available for students attending a Colorado public college or university
  • To qualify, your family’s adjusted gross income must be $90,000 or less
  • Flyer attached for more details

 

4. EmpowerEd Program
If you’ve been identified as a McKinney-Vento student during high school (experiencing homelessness), you may be eligible for EmpowerEd, a program that offers additional financial support for college.

 

5. FosterEd Support
If you have been in foster care as of age 13 or older, FosterEd can help provide financial support as you pursue a postsecondary education.

 

6. Scholarships

  • Colleges and Universities each have their own set of scholarships to apply for and then there are public and private scholarships students can qualify for in a variety of ways.
  • Don’t forget to apply for many scholarships through the PSD Scholarship application
  • Our website has many links for scholarship resources: https://www.psdfutureready.org/scholarships/

 

Request More Information

Kristen Besanceney - Concurrent Enrollment Coordinator

kbesance@psdschools.org

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Katie Jaskowiak

Kristin Flanagan

Donna Lentz

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Cynthia Erickson

Impalas

Brian Harrison

Rocky-Mountain

Nicole Fassnacht

Melissa Vasa

Anne Eakins

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Dalas Ford

The Colorado Department of Higher Education reports that, on average, participation in Concurrent Enrollment while in high school is associated with:

  • an increased likelihood of enrolling in college immediately after high school

  • a decrease in the likelihood of needing remedial education in the first year of college

  • higher credit hour accumulation, higher grade point average, and retention in the first year of college