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What is EmpowerEd?
EmpowerEd is a Colorado state-funded program administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) to provide higher education funding and support to eligible students who experienced homelessness while attending high school in Colorado.
Under Colorado law, public colleges, universities, local district colleges, and area technical schools cover the remaining balance of your total cost of attendance after all other federal, state, and private financial aid (grants and scholarships) has been applied.
EmpowerEd helps cover educational expenses up to 132 semester credit hours (or 198 quarter credit hours), including:
- Tuition and mandatory campus fees
- Textbooks and course supplies
- On-campus or off-campus housing
- Food and meal plans
- Transportation and personal education-related expenses
Who qualifies for EmpowerEd?
Eligibility
You may qualify for EmpowerEd funding if you meet all of the following requirements:
- Homelessness Experience: You were identified as a homeless child or youth under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act by designated school personnel while enrolled in a Colorado high school anytime between the start of 9th grade and the end of 12th grade.
- Age Limits: You are at least 17 years old and have not yet reached 27 years of age.
- Residency: You are a current Colorado resident.
- Financial Aid: You complete either the FAFSA or CASFA for the applicable school year (indicating past or current experience of homelessness).
- Enrollment & Progress: You are accepted into and enrolled at an eligible public Colorado institution, taking courses toward your certificate of completion, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree while maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
- Degree Limits: EmpowerEd cannot be used to pursue a second degree of the same level (e.g., if you already hold an associate degree, it can only be applied toward a bachelor’s degree or certificate).
How can I apply for EmpowerEd?
Eligible students must complete the application process every academic year they plan to enroll. Follow these steps to apply:
- Complete Your Financial Aid Application
- Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or CASFA(Colorado Application for State Financial Aid) for the applicable school year and make sure to indicate your past or current experience of homelessness.
- Gain Admission and Enroll
- Apply, get accepted, and register for courses at an accredited public college, university, or technical school in Colorado.
- Obtain Verification (If Required)
- If you graduated high school recently, you may be required to submit an EmpowerEd Student Verification Form signed by a Colorado McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Liaison. (Note: Verification for students who completed high school prior to recent state tracking updates can often be verified directly by CDHE).
- Submit the Official EmpowerEd Application
- Complete and submit the EmpowerEd Application every year online via the CDHE EmpowerEd website before the semester priority deadlines
- Ensure all financial aid and university documentation requirements (such as residency verification) are fully resolved with your school’s financial aid office by the semester completion deadline.
What are the Deadlines
Please review the for EmpowerEd deadlines.
Unfortunately, the EmpowerEd deadline is a hard deadline – if you miss the deadline, you will not be able to receive the funding until your next semester.
Who can I reach out to for assistance?
If you require help with your completed EmpowerEd application, please reach out to 海角社区鈥檚 Financial Aid Office at [email protected], or by calling at 303-556-8593.