About the Scholarship
Individuals that wish to pursue a college degree and have been released from the Division of Youth Services (DYS) commitment facility within the last 5 years may be eligible for up to $5,000 each year toward the cost of education. Choose among many college and career path options, including a traditional college degree to online & certificate programs.
Program Goals:
- Invest in the educational success of youth involved with DYS/DHS by awarding $100K in scholarships over 4 years for approved Colorado institutions.
- Ensure all participants are involved in holistic Support Programs with a focus on college credentials leading to gainful employment for youth previously committed to the DYS/CDHS.
- Who can apply?
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Colorado resident, including ASSET eligible.
2. Verified commitment to and release from the Division of Youth Services (juvenile correctional facility) within the past five years.
3. Demonstrated financial need.
4. Enrollment, acceptance, or plans to apply to an eligible college.
- What eligible colleges can participants attend?
List of Eligible Schools:
- Adams State University
- Aims Community College
- Arapahoe Community College
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado Mountain College
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University-Global
- Colorado State University Ft. Collins
- Colorado State University Pueblo
- Community College of Aurora
- Community College of Denver
- Emily Griffith Technical College
- Fort Lewis University
- Front Range Community College
- Lamar Community College
- Morgan Community College
- Metropolitan State University of Denver
- Northeastern Junior College
- Otero College
- Pikes Peak State College
- Pickens Technical College
- Pueblo Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- Technical College of the Rockies
- Trinidad Community College
- University of Colorado - Boulder
- University of Colorado - Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Northern Colorado
- Western Colorado University
Eligible Schools with COSI Postsecondary Programs:
- Adams State University
- Arapahoe Community College
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado Mountain College
- Colorado State University Ft. Collins
- Colorado State University Pueblo
- Community College of Aurora
- Front Range Community College
- Lamar Community College
- Morgan Community College
- Northeastern Junior College
- Pikes Peak State College
- Pueblo Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- University of Colorado - Boulder
- What services are offered to Second Chance scholars?
Eligible Expenses the Second Chance Scholarship May Support:
- Tuition and Fees
- Textbooks & General School Supplies (ex. notebooks, pens, backpack, etc.)
- Room & Board
- Transportation (bus passes or parking)
- Licensing & Certification Testing Fees (ex. CNA licensure exam fees, MA certification exam fee, etc.)
- Program-specific school supplies (ex. Welding tools, scrubs, calculators, etc.)
- Other school-related financial needs as necessary
Program Features:
- Participants can receive up to $5,000 per year, for up to 4 years.
- Participants receive support services at participating institutions, such as: academic advising, financial literacy programming, individualized student support, connection to community resources, and career advising.
- Second Chance Scholarship students who are successful in completing their certificate or associate degree can request supplemental funding, contingent upon funding availability and proof of acceptance into an associate or bachelor’s degree program.
- How to apply
1. All applications must be submitted through the COSI Application Portal, which will go live by September 1, 2022 and can be accessed here.
2. Please note, that applications submitted outside of the COSI Application Portal will not be considered.
3. Preview the application here.
4. The deadline for all applications is rolling. The following table shows the deadline based on what semester you plan to enroll.
Anticipated Enrollment Application Deadline Proof of Enrollment Deadline Spring 2025 September 2nd, 2024 December 1st, 2024 Summer 2025 January 5th, 2025 April 1st, 2025 Fall 2025 February 9th, 2025 July 1st, 2025