APS Partnering with Colorado Mesa University to Guarantee Student Admission

Posted September 24, 2026

Aurora Public Schools (APS) is removing barriers for its students to obtain higher education with a new guaranteed admission partnership with Colorado Mesa University (CMU). CMU is located in Grand Junction and is the flagship institution for higher education on Colorado’s Western Slope.

The agreement will provide the following benefits for APS high school students:

APS junior students with a weighted or unweighted GPA of 3.2 will receive guaranteed admission and a scholarship to CMU.
APS senior students with a weighted or unweighted GPA of 3.0-3.19 will receive guaranteed admission to CMU.
APS senior students with a weighted or unweighted GPA below 3.0 will be considered for admission with support to CMU.

This incredible opportunity for Aurora students will become official on Wednesday, Sept. 23 when APS and CMU leaders meet to sign the agreement during the annual APS College Fair at the Gaylord Rockies Resort. In addition to guaranteed admission, APS students will also have their application fees waived and receive significant support from CMU.

“We’re relentlessly pushing to open more doors for our students,” said APS Superintendent Michael Giles, Jr. who is a proud CMU graduate. “As a CMU alum, I know our students will receive a quality education there which will prepare them for success in their chosen careers. This direct admission opportunity is yet another reason why families are choosing Aurora and making APS a destination district.”

This partnership reflects both institutions’ commitment to expanding opportunity, advancing social mobility, and helping students and families build lasting success. CMU is a first-generation serving institution, where over 45% of students are the first in their families to attend college. To ensure higher education is accessible and applicable, CMU offers the third-lowest tuition in the state of Colorado for programs like culinary arts and welding, to business and psychology, and master’s and doctoral-level health sciences disciplines. CMU’s goal is to ensure that every student who desires an opportunity for a better life through education can find such at CMU.

“We are excited to partner with Aurora Public Schools to ensure students who desire an opportunity for a better life through education can pursue it at CMU. Whether students are interested in the trades or traditional four-year education paths, CMU is dedicated to breaking down barriers for students and their families so that education can be a part of their future,” said CMU President John Marshall.

This will be the sixth direct admission agreement APS has signed with colleges and universities in Colorado. In addition to CMU, APS also has partnerships with CU Denver, MSU Denver, CSU Pueblo, the University of Northern Colorado and the Community College of Aurora.