Tuition & Fees

To learn more about Auraria Early Learning Center, to discuss tuition and fees or tour the AELC facility please contact Rachel Ruiz.

2025 Tuition and Fees

1–2 years old: $1,872.50
2–3 years old: $1,701
3–5 years old: $1,540

Staff and students on campus can qualify for a 15–40% discount based on income.
View income guidelines »

Denver Preschool Program Tuition Credits

The Auraria Early Learning Center participates in the Denver Preschool Program (DPP). DPP supports Denver families by offering tuition credits to increase access to high-quality preschool. Tuition credits are available to families that reside within the City and County of Denver and have a 4 year-old enrolled in a participating preschool program in the year before kindergarten.

Denver Preschool Program »

Early Learning Center - Preschool children running on a playground

Colorado Universal Preschool Program

The Auraria Early Learning Center participates in Colorado Universal Preschool Program (UPK) this program is for families who live in Colorado and have a preschooler four years of age in their last year before kindergarten may apply to receive funding toward tuition from UPK.

Colorado Universal Preschool Program »

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

CCAP is accepted from the following counties: Jefferson, Adams, Weld, Denver, and Arapahoe. Auraria Campus students registered for at least six credit hours per semester, including summer semester, are eligible to receive CCAP.

The guidelines below must be followed:

It is the parent’s responsibility to have their caseworker send all contract information to the AELC.
The AELC must receive a Certificate of Authorization from the County Department of Human Services before a child can attend the center.
It is the parent’s responsibility to use the ATS (Attendance Tracking System) every day their child attends the center.

As per the CCAP contract, if a child is absent more than three days in a month the family must contact their caseworker. The family will be charged for any times/days for which CCAP does not pay. All parental fees must be received by the 10th of each month or a late fee applies. Families must pay the parental fee assigned by their caseworker.

Colorado Child Care Assistance Program »

MSU Denver Grant Subsidy

The MSU Denver Student Affairs Board offers a childcare subsidy program. Student parents enrolled for at least six credit hours at MSU Denver are eligible. Parents enrolled in online classes are not eligible. The subsidy is generally 30-50 percent of reimbursed AELC tuition each semester. This amount may be adjusted if funds are not available for this level of subsidy.