Tuition & Fees

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

2025-26 Monthly Tuition and Fees

Category A (Student/Staff Eligibility)*

1–2 years old: $1,180
2–3 years old: $1,072
3–5 years old: $970

Category B (Student/Staff Eligibility)*

1–2 years old: $1,671
2–3 years old: $1,518
3–5 years old: $1,374

*Must be affiliated (student/staff/faculty) with Auraria Campus, University of Colorado Denver, MSU Denver, or Community College of Denver

Category C (Community)

1–2 years old: $1,966
2–3 years old: $1,786
3–5 years old: $1,617

Additional Fees

Application Fee: $50 per child to be added to waitlist
Registration Fee: $100 per family to confirm the spot once offered
Annual Registration Fee: $100 per family in August of each year
Late Tuition Payment: $50 for any payment not received by the due date each month

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.