From Durango to Sterling, and in between, the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) helps more than 124,000 students each year take their next step—whether that’s starting a degree, learning a new skill, or training for a new career. As the state’s largest higher education and workforce training provider, CCCS makes quality, affordable education accessible across Colorado. 

Building on this commitment to preparing learners for career success, CCCS partnered with Opportunity Next to provide scholarships and coaching to Colorado Class of 2024 high school graduates enrolled in CCCS programs. The goal is simple: support learners as they explore growing career paths and find programs that work best.

All 13 colleges within CCCS provide Opportunity Next scholarships, which support Colorado Class of 2024 high school graduates studying in-demand career paths in advanced manufacturing, education, healthcare, and more. With programs for two-year and Bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and online courses, CCCS institutions offer flexible options to learners across the state.

“CCCS is thankful for Opportunity Next and the chance to showcase our colleges to learners across Colorado as the ‘first and best path’ to starting their postsecondary journey,” shared Dr. Sarah Heath, Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs at CCCS. “Whether a learner participated in Concurrent Enrollment and is bringing college credits with them on their journey or starting out at a CCCS college after high school, this has been a wonderful investment in the next generation of learner leaders across our system.”

Created through SB23-205 and led by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Opportunity Next is designed to take some of the financial stress out of college so that learners can spend more time focusing on their career journeys. Combined with CCCS’s already affordable tuition, these scholarships help students make the most of every dollar. CCCS colleges have received a total of $5.2 million in Opportunity Next scholarships and to date, more than 2,300 students have received scholarships.

Alongside the Opportunity Next scholarships, more than 600 CCCS learners have also taken advantage of Opportunity Next’s free education and career coaching. These coaches become part of a learner’s support system, offering guidance as they navigate their education and career goals. 

One student at Lamar Community College has worked with her Opportunity Next coach since last August. Her coach has supported her as she has adjusted to life as a college student and navigated major milestones—registering for classes for the first time, moving into a dorm, and completing the FAFSA. This learner shared with her coach: “I like when you check-in. It helps me stay accountable for what I have to do.”

Opportunity Next coaches add to CCCS institutions’ existing advising, mentoring, and career services support, providing another sounding board students can turn to for guidance—someone who listens, helps them stay on track, and encourages them to use the resources their campus offers. 

Thanks to this partnership, CCCS learners are better prepared to explore career paths, stay motivated through challenges, and keep moving toward their goals. With new skills and a strong support system, Colorado learners are building a clear path to a successful future in Colorado’s workforce.