The FosterEd (formerly Foster Youth) is a state-funded program that provides financial assistance at in-state public higher education institutions for students who experienced foster care in Colorado on or after their 13th birthday.
This program provides financial assistance for the remaining cost of the student's attendance over the amount of any private, state, or federal financial aid a student receives.
Eligibility Criteria
- Student was placed in foster care in Colorado at any time on or after their 13th birthday
- Completed FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid )
or CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid) - Attending a state institution of higher education, local district college, or area technical college
- Is in their first 132 semester credit hours (concurrent and dual enrollment courses will not be counted towards these credit limits)
- Completed application for Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Grant, if eligible
- Enrolled in courses leading toward a certificate of completion, associates, or bachelor’s degree
- Satisfactory academic standing as defined by the institution of attendance
- There is no age limit on this program
Steps for Enrolling in FosterEd
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Obtain Confirmation of Foster Care Experience form
- Students must provide proof of foster care eligibility on a court affidavit or the Confirmation of Foster Care Experience form from the child welfare database. If a student does not have one of those forms, they should contact the County in which they experienced foster care. This may include their caseworker, Chafee worker, or contacting the county’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to request this documentation.
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Complete either the FAFSA or CASFA for the appropriate school year.
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Complete the ETVapplication, if eligible.
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Complete and submit a FERPA Consent Form to the institution the student plans to attend.
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Contact the FosterEd Liaison, Brandon Kendall [email protected], to self-identify as eligible for the program.
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The liaison will require proof of foster care experience, proof that the student successfully submitted their ETV application (if eligible), and a completed FERPA Consent Form.
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Funds will be disbursed the week after semester census.
For additional questions or guidance, please reach out to one of our Foster Youth Support Contacts:
- First Time or Newly Admitted Students: if you are interested in Admissions to either CMU or CMU Tech or are newly admitted and have questions please make an appointment with Stephanie Parsons.
- Continuing CMU and CMU Tech Students: if you are a current student at CMU or CMU Tech and want to learn more please make an appointment with Justin Little.
Student FAQ
Not if the loans were taken prior to the current academic semester.
Any loans that have been taken for the current academic semester will be canceled and replaced with funding from the FosterEd Program.
Previous credits earned before receiving FosterEd funding will not count towards the 132 credit limit.
Credits paid for by FosterEd funding while attending another in state institution will count towards the 132 total for transferring students.
This program covers the full cost of attendance at CMU after existing grants and scholarships have been applied. The full cost includes tuition, fees, reasonable living expenses (on and off campus), books, and other expenses.
Please reach out to Brandon Kendall in the CMU Financial Aid Office for more information about your cost of attendance at CMU.