Metropolitan State University of Denver has taken several important steps toward a simpler, more accessible admission and enrollment process. In addition, a variety of innovative programs, resources and improvements are helping students choose to become Roadrunners.
As faculty and staff members can have a significant impact on a student’s enrollment and retention decisions, please share these important updates and improvements with current and prospective students:
Students may qualify for the Roadrunner Promise
Many potential and incoming students may qualify to have their tuition and fees covered if they meet the Roadrunner Promise criteria:
- $2,400 or lower Expected Family Contribution demonstrated by filing the FAFSA or CASFA; or
- Be a first-time college student with a gross family income of $60,000 or less beginning in fall 2022;
And each of the following:
- Be a Colorado resident;
- Be working on their bachelor’s degree;
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid by June 1;
- Complete all requirements for financial aid;
- Be enrolled full-time (12 credits or more).
Remind all students to submit their FAFSA or CASFA
Only 45% of students in Colorado complete the FAFSA each year, and Colorado students leave close to $30 million in federal financial aid unclaimed. Encourage all students to complete their FAFSA/CASFA and use MSU Denver’s school code: 001360. This is key to accessing financial aid that can help students pay for college and to determine whether they qualify for the Roadrunner Promise.
Promote the Pathways to Possible program
The P2P program assists eligible first-year students with the transition to college, supports them once they arrive at MSU Denver and helps them find community and explore their identities. The program offers:
- A financial stipend awarded every year of participation
- A scholarship covering the cost of the Student Success Seminar
- Leadership-development opportunities
- A dedicated Student Success Coach to help guide the student’s progress
- Paid internship opportunities
- Campus employment opportunities
- Opportunities to connect with career professionals
- Connection to faculty members
- Support in building a career path
Other ways MSU Denver is improving the admission and enrollment process
- Lowering the minimum high school grade-point-average requirement for guaranteed admission
“Lowering the GPA requirement for guaranteed admission from 2.6 to 2.0 expands access to a high-quality MSU Denver education to more students,” said Vaughn Toland, executive director of Admissions. “Also, we have seen more students applying recently with lower GPAs due to the pandemic and how it negatively impacted their high school experience. We don’t want to prevent students from attending because of one or two bad semesters due to the pandemic.”
- Streamlining the Admissions application
Eliminating the $25 admissions application fee and questions that weren’t related to students’ demographic characteristics, academic background, plans at MSU Denver and residency status helped shorten the application and make it quicker and easier for students to fill out. Just one minor barrier can deter a student from completing the enrollment process, especially first-generation students who make up over 50% of MSU Denver’s student population, so saving students even five minutes on an application could have a big impact.