Care Forward Colorado | Aims Community College

Care Forward Colorado provides zero-cost, short-term training at Aims Community College to prepare you for in-demand healthcare positions. All Care Forward Colorado participants must fill out a FAFSA in order to qualify for funding.

In one year or less, you will earn a certificate and learn the skills to become a certified nursing assistant, medical assistant, phlebotomy technician or emergency services professional.

Aims offers flexible program options to fit your schedule, so you can earn your certificate without putting your life on hold. You'll gain valuable hands-on experience and skills you can put to work in a career as soon as you complete your program.

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Students who enroll in specific short-term health care training programs at Aims Community College will pay nothing, thanks to the new Care Forward Colorado program. If you're not interested in a healthcare career, the Career Advance Colorado program offers zero-cost certificates at Aims in the growing fields of construction, early childhood education, elementary education, firefighting, law enforcement and nursing.

Why choose a career in healthcare?

Healthcare jobs are some of the fastest-growing in Colorado and provide a wage that can support you and your family. There’s also an opportunity to advance in your career. Once you earn your certificate through Care Forward Colorado, you can continue your training in a healthcare degree program at Aims to add to your skill set and qualify for higher-paying jobs.

Qualifying certificate programs at Aims

Select a program to see program details and application requirements

Nurse Aide

Are you interested in a healthcare career but unsure where to start? The nurse aide certificate program at Aims is a great way to learn an in-demand healthcare role in just four weeks.

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Medical Assistant

Gain the skills to become a medical clinical assistant. Learn to perform blood draws, injections, EKGs and urinalysis, electronic medical records (EHR) and get practice in providing direct patient care.

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Aims Allied Health Professional degree students practicing in a lab setting

Phlebotomy

Gain the skills to become a phlebotomist at a hospital, clinic, lab or medical practice. Study and practice venipuncture, capillary puncture and special collection procedures, and learn quality control, infection prevention and laboratory computer systems.

Explore Phlebotomy

Sterile instrument processing students in class

Sterile Processing

Gain skills to work in healthcare materials management. Learn how to care for, handle and sterilize surgical instruments. Earning a certificate in sterile instrument processing gives you the opportunity to explore what it's like working in a healthcare setting while earning college credit.

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Emergency medical students loading a patient into an ambulance

Emergency Medical Technician

The 15-week, one-semester Aims emergency medical technician certificate program is a great way to start your EMS career. You’ll receive intensive hands-on training from experienced instructors who will prepare you for a career as a basic EMT. If you already have your EMT certificate, you can pursue an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certificate.

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Paramedic Preparation

If you are an EMT or AEMT, the paramedic preparation certificate prepares you to apply for the Aims paramedic certificate program. Study EMT fundamentals, medical and trauma emergencies, IV/IO therapy, and basic anatomy and physiology.

Explore Paramedic Preparation

How does it work?

Starting in Fall 2022, students who enroll in eligible healthcare certificate programs will have tuition, fees, and materials covered as Care Forward Colorado funding allows. Many programs, such as Nurse Aide and EMT, have rolling admissions periods with cohorts starting multiple times throughout the year, so you won’t have to wait to get started!

In addition to training, you may be connected to an “earn while you learn” opportunity—such as an apprenticeship—that could lead to your first job in healthcare.

How to get started

Apply to Aims Community College
Officially declare in one of the qualifying certificate programs.
Register for classes required for the qualifying program you are declared in.
Apply for FAFSA or CASFA.
Complete the Care Forward Attestation Form.

What programs are available at Aims?

As part of the Care Forward Colorado program, Aims has eight eligible certificate programs:

Care Forward Colorado Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to apply for Care Forward Colorado funds at Aims?

A: Students will be awarded Care Forward Colorado funds if they are in an eligible program, have completed a FAFSA or CAFSA, and have not received other financial aid that covers tuition, fees and materials. There is no special application needed for the program -- applying to Aims is enough.

Q: Do I need to fill out a FAFSA or a CAFSA to receive funding from Care Forward Colorado?

A: Yes, all students need to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid in order to be eligible for Care Forward Colorado. Students who are unable to complete a FAFSA need to complete a Colorado Application for State Financial Aid. Make sure to review the FAFSA deadlines here for the term you are planning to enroll to ensure you submit on time.

Q: Are there any forms other than the FAFSA that I must complete to receive Care Forward funds?

A: Yes, there is an attestation that is required to be completed stating that the student was affected by COVID-19 in some capacity. This form is emailed to all eligible students but is also available at this link.

Q: What if my tuition and fees are already covered by financial aid?

A: Care Forward Colorado is a "last-dollar-in" financial aid program, so students will not be eligible for Care Forward Colorado if tuition and fees have already been paid by other financial aid.

Q: How will I receive this funding?

A: Students will work with their school's Financial Aid office to receive Care Forward funds.

Q: Can I earn multiple certificates?

A: Yes, as long as your primary program is in one of the eligible programs and the certificates are taken one at a time and not concurrently.

Q: Do the courses I'm enrolled in need to be required for my certificate in order to be reimbursed?

A: Yes, only the courses that are required for your certificate are eligible for tuition and fee reimbursement.

Q: Can students who are enrolled in an Associate degree program also declare a certificate and be eligible for the Care Forward grant?

A: No, you can’t be enrolled in an Associate degree program and simultaneously enrolled in an eligible certificate and receive the Care Forward grant.

Q: Will my veteran's benefits be affected by receiving Care Forward Colorado funding?

A: Students cannot receive both Care Forward Colorado and VA funding to cover tuition and fees. Students can still be certified to receive housing benefits even if receiving Care Forward Colorado funding.

Q: Are high school students eligible for the Care Forward grant?

A: No, not at this time. Only students enrolled at Aims with a high school diploma or equivalent are eligible.

For more information about financial aid, contact the Aims Financial Aid office at financial.aid@aims.edu or (970) 339-6548

Zero-cost healthcare training

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