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College Students Testify About Importance Of Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative

DENVER (CBS4)- Students from around Colorado traveled to the state Capitol on Wednesday to talk about affordable college. The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, also known as COSI, helps students who may not be able to afford college.

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Students talked to lawmakers about a proposed Senate bill that will help increase funding for COSI.

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One student said getting a degree would not have been possible without the scholarship.

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"This means an education. This means a chance at having a future for my kids and myself. It means showing other people anything is possible no matter how hard somethings may seem," said Community College of Denver student Kelly Shanley.

Since 2016, an estimated 300 students at the University of Colorado Boulder have benefited from the program.

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"I am the son of two immigrants, a first generation college student. Had no help at the beginning of this, so going to college was really hard at first and was very scary," said David Cardoza-Rodriguez with MSU Denver.

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Shanley will be graduating this spring with an associate degree in communications.

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