EmpowerEd and FosterEd
EmpowerEd
Students who meet the criteria below are eligible to have the remaining cost of attendance (after scholarships, grants and other financial aid awards have been applied) covered for up to 132 semester credit hours or 198 quarter credit hours.
Who qualifies for EmpowerEd?
- Identified by designated school personnel as a homeless child or your pursuant to the Federal Mckinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, while residing in Colorado anytime between the start of 9th grade and end of 12th grade
- Is at least 17 years of age, and has not yet reached 27 years,
- Is a current Colorado resident,
- Has been accepted into an in-state, public Institution of Higher Education, Local District College, or Area Technical College,
- Is currently enrolled in courses leading towards the qualifying student's first bachelor's degree, associate degree, or certificate of completion at an accredited institution of higher education, and
- Has completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) for the applicable school year.
FosterEd
The FosterEd program pays for the total cost of attendance for qualifying students who attend public institutions of higher education within Colorado. This state-funding program pays for the remaining balance of the total cost of attendance after scholarships, grants, and other financial aid awards have been applied. To qualify for this program, students must have been in foster care or in non-certified kinship care in Colorado on or after their 13th birthday. If you believe you are eligible for this program, notify the financial aid office at your institution or contact one of our Foster Care Student Navigators.
- Current Colorado resident;
- Was in foster care from age 13+ in Colorado or in non-certified kinship care from age 13+ in Colorado and was, at any time, adjudicated neglected or dependent pursuant to Article 3 of Title 19;
- Attending a state public institution of higher education, local district college, or area technical college;
- Currently enrolled in courses leading toward a certificate of completion, associate, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree and in satisfactory academic standing as defined by the institution of attendance;
- Complete the FAFSA or CASFA;
- Complete the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) application, if eligible;
- Complete and submit a FERPA Consent Form to the institution the student is attending; and
- Self-identify with the FosterEd Liaison or financial aid office at the institution the student is attending.
FosterEd will cover up to 132 semester credit hours or 198 quarter credit hours starting from the time you join this program. Credits earned prior to joining this program will not count towards the credit limit;
Please note, there is no age limit on this program.
