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Grants are a type of financial aid that does not have to be repaid. If you qualify, we encourage you to seek both state and federal grants. Grants are awarded based on full-time enrollment and may be prorated according to your actual enrollment level.

State Grants

In order to qualify for any state grant, you must:

1. Complete the
2. Demonstrate financial need via FAFSA results
3. Be a Colorado resident
4. Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards

Awarding priority for state grants is based on the order in which the student’s Financial Aid file is complete.

Colorado Career and Technical Education Grant

The Colorado Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grant is a need-based grant that is funded by the State of Colorado. To be eligible, you must:

• Meet all general qualifications in the above State Grants section
• Be enrolled in an eligible short-term certificate program that is ineligible for federal Title IV aid
• Be registered with the Selective Service System (if required)

Colorado Student Grant

The Colorado Student Grant (CSG) is a need-based grant that is funded by the State of Colorado. To be eligible, you must:

• Meet all general qualifications in the above State Grants section
• Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program
• Attend at least half-time (6 credit hours) each semester
• Not have completed a first bachelor’s degree by July 1, 2018

EmpowerEd Grant

EmpowerEd (HB 24-1403) is a state-funded program administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education to provide higher education funding and support to eligible individuals who experienced homelessness while enrolled in a Colorado high school. This assistance covers the remaining balance of the total cost of attendance after any private, state or federal financial aid. These costs are split 50/50 by the institution and state. EmpowerED Fact Sheet.

To apply, students must:

1. Complete the FAFSA or CASFA and indicate past or current experience of homelessness,

2. Be accepted and enrolled at an accredited Colorado public institution of higher education and

3. Complete the

Student Inquiries: eenavigator [at] dhe [dot] state [dot] co [dot] us (eenavigator[at]dhe[dot]state[dot]co[dot]us)

FosterEd Grant

To encourage current and former foster students to continue their education, the Colorado Department of Higher Education announces FosterEd. . FosterEd Fact Sheet.

This program covers the full cost of attendance at Colorado colleges and universities. Coverage could include tuition, fees, living expenses (on and off campus), books, and other expenses. Additional examples of costs covered includes: supplies, housing, food, local transportation, limited personal expenses, childcare where relevant, a computer allowance and medical insurance. 

To apply, students should contact the financial aid office at their institution of choice. 

Please reach out to a CDHE foster care navigator for guidance on completing the application.

Student Inquiries: fcnavigator [at] dhe [dot] state [dot] co [dot] us (fcnavigator[at]dhe[dot]state[dot]co[dot]us) to get connected to a foster care navigator.

Federal Grants

In order to qualify for a federal grant, you must:

• Complete the
• Demonstrate financial need via FAFSA results
• Be an enrolled undergraduate student working on a first degree
• Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant funded by the federal government to help students with college expenses. To be eligible, you must:

• Meet all general qualifications in the above Federal Grants section
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to the maximum figure established by the federal government for the academic year

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. To be eligible, you must:

• Meet all general qualifications in the above Federal Grants section
• Be PELL eligible with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
• Attend at least half-time (6 credit hours) each semester