FosterEd & ETV
FosterEd
Higher Education Support for Foster Youth (SB 22-008) requires that all public higher education institutions provide Colorado resident students who meet the eligibility criteria 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.
Eligibility Criteria
- Current Colorado resident;
- Was in foster care from age 13+ in Colorado or in non-certified kinship care from age 13+ in Colorado and was, at any time, adjudicated neglected or dependent pursuant to Article 3 of Title 19;
- Attending a state public institution of higher education, local district college, or area technical college;
- Currently enrolled in courses leading toward a certificate of completion, associate, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree and in satisfactory academic standing as defined by the institution of attendance;
- Completed the FAFSA or CASFA; and
- Completed the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) application, if eligible.
* FosterEd will cover up to 132 semester credit hours or 198 quarter credit hours starting from the time you join this program. Credits earned prior to joining this program will not count towards the credit limit.
* Please note, there is no age limit on this program.
Cost of Attendance
This program covers the full cost of attendance at eligible Colorado institutions. The full cost of attendance varies from institution to institution, but will cover tuition, fees, reasonable living expenses (on and off campus), books, and other school-related expenses.
How to apply
- Obtain Confirmation of Foster Care Experience form.
- Complete either the FAFSA or CASFA for the appropriate school year.
- Complete the ETV application, if eligible.
- Complete a FERPA Consent Form. (Students must complete this form if they wish to receive FosterEd funding.)
- Contact the FosterEd Liaison at the institution the student plans to attend to self-identify as eligible for the program. The liaison will require proof of foster care experience, proof that the student successfully submitted their ETV application (if eligible), and a copy of the completed FERPA Consent Form.
* For questions, students, please contact fcnavigator@dhe.state.co.us
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. The program provides Colorado residents who are currently or have previously been in foster care and are between the ages of 17 to 25 with financial support for postsecondary education at a college, university, vocational, technical, or trade school.
Eligibility Criteria
- To participate, a student must be a current or former foster student and meet these criteria:
- Has been accepted into or enrolled in a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, or vocational school;
- To remain eligible for ETV funding, student must show progress toward a certificate of completion, associate, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree;
- Is between the ages of 17 to 25; and
- Is a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
- In addition, student must meet one of the following criteria:
- Was in foster care on or after their 14th birthday; or
- Had a finalized adoption with adoption assistance on or after their 16th birthday; or
- Had a guardianship assistance established on or after their 16th birthday; or
- Was in Division of Youth Services community placement on or after their 14th birthday
Amount of Funding
ETV recipients can receive a maximum amount of $5,000 per year. The maximum number of years a student can receive ETV funding is 5 years (consecutive or intermittent).
Andee Leininger
Director of Financial Aid
(719) 384-6834
andee.leininger@otero.edu
McBride Hall 132
McKensie Avens
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
(719) 384-6985
mckensie.avens@otero.edu
McBride Hall 132