Eligibility Criteria for the Foster Care Education Program
The Foster Care Education Program (“FosterEd”) in Colorado is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for students with a foster care background to pursue higher education. To be eligible for this program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Colorado Residency: Applicants must be current residents of Colorado.
- Foster Care Experience: Students must have been in foster care in Colorado from the age of 13 or older. This also includes non-certified kinship care from age 13 onwards in Colorado, provided the student was adjudicated neglected or dependent according to Article 3 of Title 19 at any point.
- Enrollment in Higher Education: Eligible students must be attending a Colorado state public institution of higher education, a local district college, or an area technical college.
- Academic Enrollment and Standing: Students need to be currently enrolled in courses that lead to a certificate of completion, associate’s, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree. They must also maintain satisfactory academic standing as defined by their institution.
- FAFSA or CASFA Completion: Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) is required.
- ETV Application (If Eligible): If eligible, students must complete the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) application.
- FERPA Consent Form Submission: A completed FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) Consent Form must be submitted to the institution the student is attending. You can access the FERPA Consent Form online.
- Self-Identification: Students must self-identify as a FosterEd eligible student with the FosterEd Liaison or financial aid office at their institution.
Important Program Details:
- Credit Coverage: FosterEd covers up to 132 semester credit hours or 198 quarter credit hours, starting from the program enrollment date. Credits earned before joining FosterEd are not counted towards this limit.
- No Age Limit: There is no age restriction to participate in the FosterEd program, making it accessible to students of all ages who meet the foster care background criteria.
Participating Institutions: Your Educational Options
FosterEd collaborates with a wide array of higher education institutions across Colorado to ensure that eligible students have diverse academic pathways. These institutions are categorized into four-year public institutions, Colorado Community College System colleges, local district colleges, and area technical colleges.
4-Year Public Institutions:
- Adams State University
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University – Fort Collins
- Colorado State University – Global
- Colorado State University – Pueblo
- Fort Lewis College
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- University of Colorado – Boulder
- University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado – Denver
- University of Northern Colorado
- Western Colorado University
Colorado Community College System:
- Arapahoe Community College
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Community College of Aurora
- Community College of Denver
- Front Range Community College
- Lamar Community College
- Morgan Community College
- Northeastern Junior College
- Otero College
- Pikes Peak State College
- Pueblo Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- Trinidad State Colleges
Local District Colleges:
- Colorado Mountain College
- Aims Community College
Area Technical Colleges:
- Emily Griffith Technical College
- Technical College of the Rockies
- Pickens Technical College
Understanding the Cost of Attendance Coverage
A significant benefit of the Foster Care Education Program is its comprehensive financial coverage. FosterEd is designed to cover the full cost of attendance at participating Colorado institutions, ensuring that financial constraints are not a barrier to higher education for former foster youth.
The full cost of attendance varies depending on the institution but generally includes:
- Full Tuition and Fees: All instructional costs and mandatory fees are covered.
- Reasonable Living Expenses: This includes both on-campus and off-campus housing costs, ensuring students have stable living arrangements.
- Books and Supplies: Funding for required textbooks and academic materials is provided.
- Other Expenses: FosterEd may also cover additional costs such as:
- Supplies specific to the student’s program of study.
- Food and groceries.
- Local transportation expenses.
- Limited personal expenses to support basic needs.
- Childcare, if necessary, to enable student parents to attend classes.
- A computer allowance to ensure students have the technology needed for their studies.
- Medical insurance to maintain student health and well-being.
For detailed information about what specific costs are covered at each institution, it is recommended to contact the financial aid office of the institution you plan to attend. They can provide a breakdown of the cost of attendance and clarify how FosterEd funds are applied.
How to Apply for the Foster Care Education Program
Applying for the Foster Care Education Program involves a series of straightforward steps to ensure eligibility and access to program benefits.
- Obtain Confirmation of Foster Care Experience: Applicants must provide proof of their foster care background. This can be done through a court affidavit or the Confirmation of Foster Care Experience form from the child welfare database. If you do not have either of these documents, contact the County Department of Human Services (DHS) where you were in foster care to request this documentation. Contact information for Colorado county DHS offices can be found here.
- Complete FAFSA or CASFA: Fill out either the FAFSA or CASFA for the relevant academic year. These applications are crucial for determining financial aid eligibility and are a standard requirement for most financial assistance programs.
- Complete ETV Application (If Eligible): If you believe you are eligible for the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program, complete the application for ETV.
- Submit FERPA Consent Form: Complete and submit the FERPA Consent Form to the institution you plan to attend. This form is required to comply with privacy regulations and allows the institution to discuss your program participation with FosterEd. After submitting the form, you will receive a confirmation email with a downloadable PDF of your consent form, which you should submit to your school along with other required documents for FosterEd. This form only needs to be submitted once unless you choose to retract your consent in writing.
- Self-Identify with Institution Liaison: Contact the FosterEd Liaison or financial aid office at your chosen institution to self-identify as eligible for the program. You will need to provide proof of foster care experience, confirmation of ETV application submission (if applicable), and your completed FERPA Consent Form.
Application Deadline: For students planning to enroll for the Spring 2025 semester, the recommended deadline to self-identify as eligible for FosterEd with your Institution of Higher Education and be included on Spring 2025 rosters is February 1st, 2025.
Resources and Support for FosterEd Students
FosterEd is committed to providing comprehensive resources and support to help students succeed in their higher education journey. Several resources are available to guide and assist students throughout their academic careers.
- Foster Care Student Navigator Map: This interactive map helps students locate Foster Care Student Navigators at various institutions, providing a visual guide to support services across Colorado.
- FosterEd Fact Sheet: Access the FosterEd Fact Sheet for a concise overview of the program, its benefits, and eligibility requirements.
- ETV and FosterEd Glossary of Terms: Understand key terms and definitions related to both the ETV program and FosterEd with this helpful glossary.
- ETV and FosterEd FAQs: Get answers to frequently asked questions about both programs in this detailed FAQ document.
- ETV and FosterEd Presentation: Review a comprehensive presentation providing detailed information about both programs, perfect for a deeper understanding.
- Communications Toolkit: Access the Communications Toolkit for materials and templates to help promote and share information about FosterEd.
- FERPA Consent Form: The direct link to the FERPA Consent Form is readily available for easy access.
Institution Liaison: Your On-Campus Support Contact
Each participating institution has designated a FosterEd Liaison, a dedicated staff member who serves as the primary point of contact for both current and prospective FosterEd students. These liaisons are essential in providing personalized support and guidance.
The Institution Liaison is responsible for:
- Providing application assistance to help students navigate the enrollment and FosterEd application processes.
- Offering information about financial assistance opportunities through FosterEd and other sources.
- Connecting students with support services available on campus, such as academic advising, counseling, and tutoring.
- Providing information about other resources and forms of assistance available to FosterEd students.
Students are encouraged to connect with their Institution Liaison early in their college journey. Contact information for liaisons at each participating institution can be found in the Institution Liaison Directory. Institutions can update liaison information using the Institution Liaison Designation Form.
For any further questions about the Foster Care Education Program, please refer to the provided resources or contact the FosterEd Liaison at your institution. This program is a significant step towards making higher education accessible and achievable for students with foster care backgrounds in Colorado.
