A new scholarship program at Front Range Community College will help fill critical shortages in health care in the state and provide students like Krysten Gordon a clear focus on the future.
“I have always been interested in phlebotomy and in nursing,” the 33-year-old Gordon said. “Then as I got older and realized I wanted to do something with my life that is a lot more stable. And this came along. This will be a huge help for me.”
Gordon, a student at the FRCC Longmont campus, said she wants to enroll in the college’s new fast-track certification program in phlebotomy. Phlebotomy is the practice of drawing blood in a medical clinic or hospital.
Starting this summer, FRCC students who enroll in one of the 10 health care certification fields — including phlebotomy — will have their tuition, fees and other course materials covered by scholarships, according to a FRCC news release.
Without the scholarships, Gordon said she would have been forced to drop out of FRCC classes because of the expense of going to school. “Without this thing coming through, I would have had to drop out,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been able to pay for it.”
These FRCC programs can all be completed in a year (or less) to start a new career:
- Advanced Pharmacy Technician—26 credits (2 semesters)
- Clinical Emergency Medical Technician—24 credits (2 semesters)
- Dental Assisting—46 credits (2 semesters)
- Emergency Medical Technician—12 credits (1 semester)
- Integrative Health & Wellness Coaching—24 credits (2 semesters)
- Massage Therapy—20 credits (3 semesters)
- Medical Assistant—26 credits (2 semesters)
- Nurse Aide (CNA)—5 credits (1 semester)
- Phlebotomy—5 credits (1 semester)
- Sterile Processing—18 credits (1 semester)
Health care jobs are some of the fastest-growing in Colorado and provide a wage that can support a family, the news release states. In a year or less, trainees can learn the skills they need to start working in one of the 10 high-growth careers.
“These medical positions are critical in Colorado’s health care facilities,” FRCC President Colleen Simpson said in the news release. “We’re training the workers who will take care of all of us when we need it — while helping our students quickly start rewarding careers.”
The funding is provided by the state’s Care Forward Colorado grant program.
All that FRCC students have to do to receive the scholarship money is apply for financial aid. Whatever isn’t covered by financial aid will be covered by Care Forward dollars through fall 2025, the news release states.
FRCC will receive approximately $5.6 million for its students in these health care programs. Students who are already in these programs can receive reimbursement through Care Forward, the news release said.
Once students earn their certificate, they’ll be well prepared to begin working in health care, continue their education, or both, according to FRCC.
