Local High School Graduates Can Earn A Tuition-Free Degree At Western

Photo courtesy of Western Colorado University

Starting in fall 2026, Gunnison Valley Promise (GVP) is offering a free college education for all high school students living in Gunnison Valley pursuing an undergraduate degree from Western Colorado University (WCU) in Gunnison.

Students who graduate from Gunnison High School, Crested Butte Community School, Lake City Community School or homeschool programs in Gunnison or Hinsdale counties are eligible for the free tuition. Students are still encouraged to apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid) with GVP filling the gaps in aid where needed.

GVP does not replace other financial aid programs like Mountaineer Promise, which covers tuition and fees for Colorado high school graduates based on need, says Carrie Shaw, director of Student Financial Services at WCU. Another opportunity allows children of full-time WCU employees to attend the university for free — a program that has been in place for many years.

“Gunnison Valley Promise is geared toward students who don’t qualify for other programs,” Shaw says. “There is no income level tied to it.” GVP is intended for those students who fall through the cracks — where families earn too much to be awarded financial aid, but not enough to afford tuition. The program covers tuition for all students — regardless of family income. Students are responsible for their own housing costs and any mandatory fees.

Tuition for the 2026-27 school year is $7,632 — GVP covers this standard undergraduate tuition fully for eligible local students starting in fall 2026. Shaw says the program will save families roughly $30,000 to $35,000 for a four-year degree.

“There’s been a lot of excitement. We’re in an area where students tend to leave after high school, whether to work or attend college elsewhere,” says Shaw, noting that enrollment is up as a result of the program.

The program is funded through the Western Colorado University Foundation and community partnerships.

For more information about Gunnison Valley Promise, visit western.edu.

Originally published in the fall 2026 issue of Spoke+Blossom.