Student Charges & Student Charges Schedule

Students shall not be charged an instructional fee as a condition of enrollment in any Colorado Early Colleges (CEC) school or as a condition of attendance in any class that is considered part of the academic portion of CEC’s educational program. The only exception is for tuition, when allowed by law.

The CEC Governing Board (the Board) hereby designates the authority to adopt allowable student charges to students to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), or their designee, consistent with this policy and applicable law.

All student charges adopted by the CEO, or their designee, shall be used for the purposes set forth in CEC’s annual Student Charges Schedule and will be used only for the purpose for which they were collected.

When publicizing any information concerning any charge authorized to be collected by this policy, the document shall specify whether the charge is voluntary or mandatory, the purpose of the charge, and the specific activity from which the student will be excluded if the charge is not paid.

Student Fee Waivers and Protections

All charges for Indigent Students shall be waived, including fines and charges for textbooks, workbooks, and supplies required to participate in the academic portion of the educational program, except where a charge is expressly allowed by law.

An Indigent Student is defined as any student who is deemed eligible for a Free or Reduced-price Lunch under the income guidelines established by the federal government.

Students attending CEC schools classified as Schoolwide Title I schools shall have student charges waived, except where charges are expressly allowed by law.

Families experiencing financial hardship may request a waiver or reduction of applicable charges from the Head of School.

No student shall be denied access to instruction, academic coursework, grades, records required for enrollment, or issuance of a diploma due to the nonpayment of any charge.

CEC shall make every effort to delay the collection of mandatory student charges until Free or Reduced-Price Lunch eligibility has been determined and shall promptly waive such charges for eligible students.

Annual Approval and Publication

The student fee structure is subject to annual change.

CEC’s annual Student Charges Schedule shall be posted on the CEC website.

Only charges approved and listed in this policy may be assessed.

Colorado Early Colleges 2026-2027 Student Charges Schedule

CHARGES IDENTIFIED ARE MANDATORY FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SPECIFIED ACTIVITY. PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY MAY BE VOLUNTARY.

All charges are waived or reduced for Indigent Students, except where allowed by law.

Academic-Adjacent and Program Charges (Non-Instructional)

Charge Type Designated For Maximum Charge Amount Purpose of Charge Student Impact if Charge Is Not Paid
Technology & Instructional Resources Fee
All Students
Mandatory $150 fee

Ensures students learning both on campus or fully online have reliable access to technology and instructional resources that support daily instruction.

The fee supports: (1) technology equipment such as devices, peripherals, and classroom technology; (2) software and digital platforms including learning management systems, instructional software, and digital curriculum tools; (3) technology infrastructure and instructional technology support services; and
(4) digital and print instructional materials, including required textbooks, science and art consumables, and paper/printing resources.

Fees must be paid prior to participation in non-academic activities such as the graduation ceremony.

Required instructional materials are provided at no cost to Indigent Students.

Loss, Damage, or Replacement Charges

Charge Type Designated For Maximum Charge Amount Purpose of Charge Student Impact if Charge Is Not Paid
Textbook (Lost or Damaged)
Students issued textbooks
Charges Vary
To reimburse CEC for lost or damaged textbooks.
Charges assessed if textbooks are not returned within ten (10) business days after course completion.
Electronic Equipment
Students issued school equipment
Varies (actual cost)
To reimburse for lost or damaged equipment.
Students may be restricted to on-campus use of school equipment.
Student ID Replacement
Students needing replacement ID
Not to exceed $5
To cover replacement materials.
Fee assessed to student account.

Ceremonial and Administrative Charges

Charge Type Designated For Maximum Charge Amount Purpose of Charge Student Impact if Charge Is Not Paid
Graduation Ceremony
Graduating students
Mandatory Fee ranging from $50-$100
To cover sashes, cords, medals, decorations, facility rental, and diploma printing.

Fees must be paid to participate in the ceremony.

Nonpayment shall not affect the issuance of a diploma.

Official Transcript (Third-Party Service)
Students requesting official transcripts
Not to exceed $15
Third-party service charge (CEC does not receive funds).
Transcripts will not be withheld for inability or failure to pay.

Optional Access, Activities, Programs, and Purchases

Charge Type Designated For Maximum Charge Amount Purpose of Charge Student Impact if Charge Is Not Paid
Course Charge – Field Trips
Students participating in optional field trips
Varies by trip (not applicable to basic education classes)
To cover admission, activity, and transportation costs.
Student will not be permitted to attend the field trip. A comparable alternative activity will be provided where applicable.
Student Charge – After-School Intramural Sports
Participating students
Not to exceed $100 per month or $350 per season
To cover costs of after-school intramural sports activities.
Student will not be permitted to participate in the intramural sports activity.
School Charge – Yearbook
Students purchasing a yearbook
Not to exceed $85
To help offset production and printing costs.
Student will not receive a yearbook.
Student Parking Fee
Students who park on campus
$50 per semester/ $100 per year
To cover parking lot maintenance, security, signage, and administration.
Parking permit will not be issued; student may not park on campus.
Course Charge – Art Supplies (Optional Courses Only)
Students enrolled in non-core, optional art courses
Not to exceed $150 (varies by course)
To cover specialized art materials and supplies used in optional upper level and college level art courses that are not part of the core academic instructional program. Required instructional materials for core courses are provided at no cost to Indigent Students.
Students may not participate in the optional art course requiring specialized supplies.
School Charge – Musical Instrument Rental (Optional Music Courses Only; Optional Take-Home Use)
Students enrolled in optional, non-core music courses who elect to take a school-owned instrument home
Varies by instrument
To cover rental, maintenance, or repair of school-owned musical instruments for optional take-home use. Instruments required for in-class instruction in optional music courses are provided at no cost during the school day.
Student may fully participate in the music course using a school-provided instrument during class but will not be permitted optional take-home use.
School Charge – Tutoring Missed Appointment (No-Show Fee)
Students who miss a scheduled optional tutoring session without notice
Not to exceed $20 per missed session
To offset administrative costs associated with missed optional tutoring appointments. Tutoring remains available regardless of ability to pay.
A student may be temporarily restricted from booking additional optional tutoring sessions until the balance is resolved.
Student Charge – Conferences / Competitions
Students who elect to participate in optional conferences, competitions, or club-related events
Varies
To cover optional participation costs including entry fees, registration, travel, lodging, meals, or related expenses for conferences or competitions not associated with core instructional classes.
Student will not be permitted to attend the optional conference or competition.

Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF)

Students who do not qualify for or fail to activate the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) through their college application process prior to the date the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) bills CEC may be responsible for the amount corresponding to the COF discount.

  • Applies To: Students who do not qualify for or activate COF in a timely manner
  • Maximum Amount: Amount of the COF discount applied by the IHE
  • Purpose: To reimburse CEC for the COF stipend/discount billed by the IHE
  • Collection: The IHE will pursue collection directly

 

Additional Tuition Notes

If a student attends an IHE charging tuition above the local community college resident rate, the student may be responsible for the difference.

If a student exceeds their CEC allocation for tuition, fees, or textbooks, the parent or guardian is responsible for the remaining balance.

Questions?

CEC encourages staff, students, parents, and all members of the CEC community to become familiar with our policies and procedures. For questions or comments regarding our policies and procedures, please contact:

Melissa Talan, MBA
Executive Office Administrator

SECTION: Students
Student Charges and Student Charges Schedule
Approved: 04/2026