COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Monday, June 3, 2024 – Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) and Colorado State University Pueblo announce the launch of Direct Admissions for District 2 
seniors, starting with the class of 2024.

Direct Admissions: Simplifying the Path to College

With the new Direct Admissions program, high school seniors from Harrison High School, Sierra High School, Career Readiness Academy, and Aspire Online Academy will be accepted directly into PPSC and CSU Pueblo without the need for a traditional application. This streamlined process ensures that students can transition smoothly from high school to college, something some students may not have thought possible for them. The Direct Admissions program compounds seamlessly with Promise Programs offered through PPSC and CSU Pueblo, both of which support academics and inspire success through attainable, life-changing education.

"The Direct Admissions program is a game-changer for our students. It not only streamlines the college admission process but also provides financial support through the Promise Programs. This initiative empowers our graduates to dream big and achieve their goals, knowing they have the backing of their community and local institutions," says Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, 
Superintendent Harrison School District 2.

D2 Promise Program

Graduates from District 2 who use the Direct Admissions program may also be eligible for the D2 Promise Program at PPSC. The D2 Promise program guarantees to cover tuition, fees, and required textbooks for up to three years or 60 credit hours, provided students remain in good academic standing. Eligible graduates for the D2 Promise must have attended a District 2 high school for a minimum of one year and graduated from that school. Graduates must enroll in PPSC within 3 semesters, or 16 months, after high school graduation. Because the Promise programs are a last dollar scholarship, students must also apply annually for FAFSA or CASFA financial aid, as well as authorize the use of College Opportunity Fund (COF) each semester. Signing the Promise Pledge allows students to maintain their D2 Promise program scholarship. 

Krista Wallace, Coordinator of Promise Programs at PPSC says, "We are committed to breaking down barriers to higher education. The Direct Admissions program is a huge step in the right direction in our goals to make college accessible to all students. By simplifying the admission process, we are providing our local high school graduates a clear path to achieving a future they may have assumed was out of reach for them."

Colorado Promise Program

D2 graduates with a minimum GPA of 2.3 are eligible for automatic admission to CSU Pueblo and the Colorado Promise program. This program covers any tuition expenses not addressed by other financial aid. It is renewable for up to four years for first-year students and two years for transfer students who maintain full-time enrollment and a 3.0 GPA. To be eligible for the Colorado Promise program, students must be a Colorado resident, a first-time college student, or a transfer student with a gross family income of up to $70,000 and enroll full-time (12 credits per semester).

Lee Saunders, Director of Admissions for CSU Pueblo says, “Colorado State University Pueblo is proud to partner with Harrison District 2 and Pikes Peak State College to offer our new Direct Admission program to D2 seniors. CSU Pueblo is dedicated to removing barriers and improving access and affordability for bachelor’s degrees in southern Colorado. This program is a powerful move toward opening opportunities for more students than ever before.”

To learn more about the Direct Admissions program, please visit 
https://www.hsd2.org/academics/direct-admissions. To learn more about the Colorado Promise at CSU Pueblo, please visit https://www.csupueblo.edu/news/2021/12-1-colorado-promise-offers-free-tuition-to-students-in-colorado-with-family-income-of-50,000-or-less.html. To learn more about the D2 Promise at PPSC, please visit pikespeak.edu/promise-programs.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Pikes Peak State College
Rachel Tyrrell
Content Coordinator, Pikes Peak State College
(719) 715-3297
rachel.tyrrell@pikespeak.edu

Harrison School District 2
Christine O’Brien
Chief Communications Officer
719-579-2310
cobrien@hsd2.org 

Colorado State University-Pueblo
Gena Alfonso
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
(719) 671-0929
Gena.Alfonso@csupueblo.edu

Pikes Peak State College, District 2 School District, and Colorado State University - Pueblo are committed to providing inclusive and accessible educational opportunities to all students.

About Harrison School District 2

Harrison School District 2 (D2) is proud to be the second oldest district in El Paso County and has a strong history of supporting students and families by going the extra mile. D2 covers a 19-
mile radius in Southeast Colorado Springs and serves 13,000 students and their families from preschool to college. With 20 schools, multiple programs and a belief that diversity is our 
strength – D2 has opportunities beyond the classroom for every student.

About Pikes Peak State College

Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certifications in career and technical fields and three bachelors’ degrees. With three campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education
centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.

About CSU Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo is a comprehensive state university with an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students. With 34 percent of its students Hispanic, it is a designated Hispanic 
Serving Institution (HSI), and a military friendly university. The university is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurship that elevates its people and community, creates 
educational opportunities, fosters unique collaborations, and supports inclusion, access, and affordability as a gateway to the world.