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Our Mission: Empowering our students to succeed at CU-Boulder

Guardian Scholars is a unique program within the University’s TRiO Student Support Services Program that specifically meets the needs of CU-Boulder students who are eligible for the program. The program serves as a resource for students, assisting in their personal and academic development and strengthening their skills and connecting them to resources necessary to become successful graduates of the University of Colorado.

What is the Guardian Scholars Program?

Guardian Scholars is a part of the TRiO Student Support Services Program.  We provide comprehensive and holistic student support services designed to nurture the academic success and professional development of students who have experienced foster care, those who fall under the McKinney-Vento Act, and those without parent or guardian support.  Our program also addresses the unique personal and financial challenges former foster care recipients may face while pursuing their undergraduate degrees at CU Boulder. Our goal is to ensure that every student has the resources and guidance they need to thrive.

Program Goals

• Increase the retention and graduation rates of students who are eligible to participate in the Guardian Scholars program
• Support a successful transition into the university’s academic and social communities
• Build students’ life skills to ensure post-baccalaureate success
• Provide support for students in the realms of academics, health, housing, life skills, relationships, identity, finances, and employment
• Bolster students’ civic and social responsibility

Who Is Eligible?

Guardian Scholars are students who have experienced significant challenges in accessing stable support and resources. This program is dedicated to serving three distinct groups:

1. Former Foster and FosterEd Students: Those who have been part of the foster care system.
2. McKinney-Vento Students: Students who have experienced homelessness.

3. Students with No Parental Support: Those who lack the guidance or financial assistance of a parent or guardian.

   Note: While FosterEd and McKinney-Vento designations offer official recognition, there is a critical group of students who fall outside these classifications but share the same vulnerabilities. These students often face a similar absence of stable adult support, both emotionally and financially, leaving them just as susceptible to academic and personal barriers. The Guardian Scholars Program must encompass all three groups to truly embody the program’s mission: to provide equitable access, stability, and success to students who have experienced instability. Every Guardian Scholar deserves a safe, supportive environment that empowers them to thrive, regardless of the specific label applied to their situation. If you feel you may be eligible, you can contact us at: guardianscholars@colorado.edu

Program Offerings

Student Resources