The FosterEd (formerly Foster Youth) Financial Assistance Program was created by the State of Colorado (SB 22-008) to assist Colorado resident students who have been in foster care or, following an adjudication as neglected or dependent, in noncertified kinship care in Colorado at any time on or after reaching the age of 13.
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, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree
- Satisfactory academic standing as defined by the institution of attendance
- There is no age limit on this program
Process
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Our CMU Financial Aid Office representative: Brandon Kendall or 970-248-1409 will identify if you are eligible.
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Provide CMU with proof of foster care eligibility on a court affidavit, Confirmation of Foster Care Experience form from the Department of Human Services (DHS), or court documentation confirming noncertified kinship care.
- If you do not have these forms, you should contact the county in which you experienced foster care/non-certified kinship care. This may include your caseworker, Chafee worker, or contacting the county’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to request this documentation.
- If you do not have these forms, you should contact the county in which you experienced foster care/non-certified kinship care. This may include your caseworker, Chafee worker, or contacting the county’s Department of Human Services (DHS) to request this documentation.
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Complete a FERPA Consent Form and attach it to the Foster/EmpowerED Release of Information Confirmation
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Please allow 3-5 days for the form to be processed.
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Funds will be disbursed the week after 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.