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EmpowerEd (HB 24-1403) is a state-funded program that provides financial assistance at in-state public higher education institutions for students, between age 17-27, who were deemed eligible for McKinney-Vento while enrolled in a Colorado high school. 

This program provides financial assistance for the remaining cost of the student's attendance after scholarships, grants, and other financial aid awards have been applied.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Is a current Colorado resident
  • Identified by designated school personnel as a homeless child or youth as defined by the Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, while residing in Colorado  and attending a Colorado High school anytime between the start of 9th grade and end of 12th grade  
  • Is at least 17 to 27 years old
  • Completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid )
    or CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid)
  • Enrolled in courses leading toward a certificate of completion, associates, or bachelor’s degree
  • Is in satisfactory academic standing as defined by CMU
  • Is in their first 132 semester credit hours (concurrent and dual enrollment courses will not be counted towards these credit limits)

Steps for Enrolling in EmpowerEd:

  1. Complete the FAFSA/CASFA and indicate past or current experience of homelessness

  2. Be accepted and enrolled at an accredited Colorado public institution of higher education, and

  3. Complete the EmpowerEd Application for the appropriate school year before the state mandated deadline. 

    • The deadline to apply for EmpowerEd for the Spring 2026 semester is January 16, 2026.
    • Students are required to re-apply annually, however only one submission is needed per school year.  

  4. Once the state confirms eligibility, funds will be disbursed the week after semester census. 

Students who graduated after October 2024 are required to submit a specific EmpowerEd Student Verification form that has been signed by a current Colorado McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Liaison with their EmpowerEd application. Students who graduated before October 2024 do not need to submit the verification form, as the CDHE can verify their eligibility statuses. 

Questions? Contact our CMU Financial Aid Office representative: Brandon Kendall or 970-248-1409.