The Colorado Department of Higher Education’s Outreach and Community Engagement team works directly with school districts, educators, foster care students, students and families in navigating the questions that come as students decide on a path beyond high school.
The team assists Coloradans in completing financial aid applications, provides information on grants, scholarships and other funding sources, career planning, filling out college applications and highlights the importance of pursuing a postsecondary path.
Our team is available to help with back-to-school nights, parent nights, college fairs and other events and presentations. The team utilizes My Colorado Journey to connect educators, professionals, students and job seekers with free education and career planning and support resources through a guided process that drives action and goal completion.
Currently, the Outreach and Community Engagement team is focusing on the following programs for foster students:
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program is a federally funded program, administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to provide funding and support for post-secondary education.
FosterEd Program (formerly Foster Youth Financial Assistance Program)
Higher Education Support For Foster Youth (SB 22-008) requires that all public higher education institutions provide Colorado resident students who have been in foster care in Colorado at any time on or after reaching the age of 13, with financial assistance for the remaining balance of the student's total cost of attendance over the amount of any private, state, or federal financial assistance received by the student. These costs are split, with 50% of the cost being covered by the institution and 50% will be covered by the state.
Celebration of Educational Excellence
The Colorado Department of Human Services and the Colorado Department of Higher Education are partnering with other organizations and community partners to recognize young people involved in foster care or youth services who have graduated from high school, received a GED, or obtained a college degree this year. Graduates in attendance will have a chance to attend the resource fair to connect with organizations that can support their success in the future. The Celebration of Educational Excellence was created 25 years ago in response to the poor educational outcomes of current and former foster youth. The celebration has grown and expanded throughout its history, has integrated a resource fair, and emphasizes youth voice and input.