Navigating Higher Education: A Guide to Foster Care to Success Scholarships and Resources

Education can unlock countless opportunities, but access isn't always guaranteed - especially when the costs are so high. While college isn't free or paid for if you're adopted or from foster care, there are scholarships and other financial resources designed just for you. Several organizations and programs recognize the unique challenges faced by youth with foster care backgrounds and offer financial aid to help them pursue higher education. This article explores the various scholarship opportunities and resources available to students with foster care experience, providing a comprehensive guide to navigating the path to academic success.

Understanding the Landscape of Financial Aid for Foster Youth

Financial aid is a crucial part in obtaining a college education for many students. Alpena Community College Financial Aid Office is committed to assisting Foster, Adopted, and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth to obtain Higher Education.

Many adopted youth wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational/technical school or junior college.

Federal and State Programs

The U.S. Department of Education is the largest provider of student financial aid in the United States.

The Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Program (ETV) provides resources specifically to meet the education and training needs of youth aging out of foster care. NOTE: Youth must be enrolled prior to his/her 21st birthday if youth meets the criteria. If the youth participated in the ETV program before his/her 21st birthday, eligibility continues until age 26 provided youth receives at least a 2.0 GPA, and does not have more than one incomplete or withdrawal per semester.

Texas institutions of higher education are required to assist full-time students formerly in DFPS conservatorship or who have been legally emancipated in locating temporary housing between academic terms (winter and summer holiday breaks). Note: If a student receives a stipend for housing assistance this does not prohibit the student from receiving additional stipends in one or more subsequent academic periods. Also the receipt of a stipend for housing assistance will not affect a student's ability to apply for or receive funds from the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program for the cost of attendance for the future semester or to receive other similar academic assistance.

The Role of Foster Care to Success (FC2S)

Foster Care to Success has provided scholarships since 1991. In 2000 they restructured the program and since then have awarded over $15M to 2,000 students in all 50 states. FC2S provides the encouragement, mentoring and practical support so students do well not only in school but in their personal lives.

Scholarship Opportunities for Students with Foster Care Experience

Several scholarships cater specifically to students who have been in foster care, each with its own eligibility requirements and award amounts.

National Scholarships

Foster Care to Success Scholarship Program: This program supports former foster youth pursuing college degrees, certificate programs, or professional training. Applicants must have been in foster care for at least 12 consecutive months before their 18th birthday, or be adopted/placed into legal guardianship after age 16. The scholarship is available to individuals under 25. FC2S provides scholarships between $2500-$5000 to former foster youth.
The Rezvan Foundation Scholarship: This scholarship provides up to $100,000 in tuition funding over four years for students who have been in foster care or adopted after time in foster care.

Read also: Comprehensive Look at Penn Foster Accreditation
David E. Ballard Scholarship: The David E. Ballard Scholarship with the support of Inherit the Music offers $10,000 to full-time undergraduate students who have experienced foster care after age 16 or homelessness within the past four years.
American Industries Trade Scholarship: This scholarship offers up to $10,000 available for two years to current and former foster youth pursuing technical certifications or vocational degrees. Eligible applicants must have spent at least 12 continuous months in foster care leading up to their 18th birthday.

State-Specific Scholarships

California Firefighters Memorial Scholarship: Daniel A. This scholarship provides higher education financial assistance to the children of California’s fallen firefighters. To be eligible for the award, an applicant must be the natural or legally adopted child of a California firefighter who died in the line of duty and whose name appears or is approved to appear on the California Firefighters Memorial Wall.
Holt International Scholarship: This award is granted to young adults who were adopted or in foster care and have overcome diversity. To qualify for this $700 award, applicants must be adoptees from domestic or international adoption agencies. They must be graduating high school and planning to attend an institution of higher education. Holt International awards three scholarships annually.
University of Florida Higher Education Opportunity: The University of Florida’s Higher Education Opportunity offers a scholarship for kids of full-time TEAMS employees.

Read also: Funding for Foster Students
Oregon Department of Human Services Adoption Scholarship: This award provides up to $2,500 to eligible students who were adopted from the child welfare system in Oregon between the ages of 14 and 16.
Vermont DCF Education Support Award: This award is granted annually for $1,000 to $3,000. To be eligible, applicants must currently be in the custody of the Vermont Commissioner of the Department for Children and Families (DCF) or be between the ages of 18 and 24 and have been in DCF custody for at least six months between the ages of 16 and 18. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate associate's or bachelor's degree program at an accredited Vermont school.
Kansas Foster Child Education Assistance Act: This scholarship provides up to $5,000 each semester for up to four years to recipients. This award distributes various amounts twice a year to students who are or have been foster children in the state of Kansas. institution.
Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association Scholarship: To be eligible, students must be the foster, adopted or biological children of currently licensed foster parents. The Nebraska Foster and Adoptive Parent Association offers annual scholarships for adoptive, foster, guardianship and kinship children of Nebraska foster parents who wish to further their education beyond a high school diploma or GED.
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department Scholarship: This scholarship program awards young adults aging out of foster care who want to develop a marketable skill or continue their education at a post-secondary school. Applicants must be a New Mexico resident for at least one year, have been in the New Mexico foster care system for at least one year and be between the ages of 17 and 21 at the time of application.
Iowa Department of Human Services Scholarship: This scholarship offers up to $8,000 per year to students who spent time in Iowa foster care between the ages of 14 and 18. Eligible applicants must be high school graduates with a minimum 2.3 GPA or have shown significant improvement in secondary education.
Maryland Higher Education Commission Foster Care Tuition Waiver: This waiver is available to foster care youth who are enrolled for an associate, bachelor’s degree or vocational certificate at a Maryland public institution of higher education. Applicants must be under 25, have lived in an out-of-home placement in Maryland and be attending a public two- or four-year college in Maryland.
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Scholarships:
- C. Ed Davis PAL Scholarship: The C. The C. Ed Davis PAL scholarship is for for youth formerly in foster care with DFPS. This scholarship was named in honor of C. Ed Davis who, in April 2004, retired as Deputy Director, Legal Services. DFPS is offering scholarships of $1,000 per academic year, awarded in increments of $500 per semester. These scholarships are for basic non-tuition needs for students interested in the field of law and majoring in government, political science, history, or other pre-law fields.
- Freshman and Sophomore Success Scholarship: The Freshman and Sophomore Success Scholarship is for young adults formerly in DFPS foster care attending a Texas state-funded institution of higher education. This includes community colleges, colleges, universities, and Texas State Technical College. Application due dates are August 1 and November 1, prior to each semester. Scholarships are $1000 per semester or academic term or $2000 for two semesters or academic terms.

College and University-Specific Scholarships

Many colleges and universities offer scholarships specifically for students who have experienced foster care. Here are a few examples from Colorado State University:

Fostering Success Program (FSP) Scholarship: Students who have been invited to participate in the Fostering Success Program are eligible to apply for the Fostering Success Program (FSP) Scholarship. Additional eligibility includes demonstration of financial need, minimum GPA of 2.0, and full-time status. The amount award starts at $2500 for the whole academic year.
4th Stone Scholarship: Students who have been in foster care at any time (e.g. foster home, group home, or placed with relative by court order) are eligible to apply for the 4th Stone Scholarship. Additional eligibility includes a minimum GPA of 2.5 and full-time status. The amount award is $9500 for the whole academic year, with $4750 each semester.
Berghoefer Scholarship: The Berghoefer Schoarship is a $3000 award designed to support a student who will be doing a field experience in the Spring or Summer. Funding can be used to support study abroad, internship, alternative spring break or other field experiences. To be eligible for the Berghoefer Award, applicants must be active Fostering Success Program participants, demonstrate financial need, be full time status and maintain good academic & conduct standing.
Thompson Fostering Success Scholarship: Students who have been invited to participate in the Fostering Success Program are eligible to apply for the Thompson Fostering Success Scholarship. Additional eligibility includes demonstration of financial need, academic drive, and strong initiative towards graduation. The amount award starts at $1000 for the whole academic year.
Janice L. Nerger Scholarship: Fostering Success Program students in the College of Natural Sciences are invited to apply for the Janice L. Nerger Scholarship. Additional eligibility includes minimum GPA of 3.2, completion of at least 24 credit hours, and US citizenship.
Carol A. Sarchet Scholarship: Students raised in foster or kinship care who are undergraduates in the School of Social Work, School of Education, Occupations Therapy, Human Development & Family Studies, Food Science & Human Nutrition, Family & Consumer Sciences or Design & Merchandising are welcome to apply for the Carol A. Sarchet Scholarship.
Peggy E. Meis Scholarship: Fostering Success Program students are encouraged to apply for the Peggy E. Meis Scholarship. The criteria includes enrolling in 3 or more credits for any of the summer experiential learning programs at the Mountain Campus including courses offered through the College of Liberal Arts. The scholarship will be for any undergraduate student with a 2.5 GPA to apply with preference given to Colorado residents.

Additional Resources and Support Programs

Beyond scholarships, several programs offer comprehensive support to foster youth pursuing higher education.

Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program: The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program provides up to $5,000 in financial assistance for students to attend college or vocational programs. To be eligible for the ETV program, you must be between the ages of 16 and 23 and meet one of the following criteria: currently in or have aged out of DFPS foster care, been adopted from DFPS foster care or entered the Permanency Care Assistance program. This program offers funding through ETV funds as well as the Fostering Hope scholarship to applicants under 26 who have completed FAFSA.
MYOI (Michigan Youth Opportunities Initiative): MYOI is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, and many other local community partners. MYOI's goal is to ensure that young people in foster care have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement, and health.
Forward Steps (Colorado): Forward Steps helps Colorado foster youth as they pursue a post-secondary education. The Forward Steps scholarship provides assistance of up to $6,000 per academic year to participants enrolled as full-time college students. Forward Steps scholars receive one-on-one mentoring, academic coaching, lifeskills training and community support.
Project Fairness Scholarships: Project Fairness Scholarships are for current and former foster youth who are pursuing higher education. Project Fairness’s educational scholarships will be awarded to select applicants in amounts of up to $5,000.
Community Now: Community Now educational programs and career training will empower individuals to pursue careers that fulfill personal aspirations and provide sustainable support for themselves and their families. Through strategic partnerships with employers and schools, young people will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen career fields to become plumbers, electricians and medical assistants.

Support Services Offered by FC2S

We provide programs that guide and support foster youth between the ages of 14-23 as they transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. We also assist homeless youth and youth ages 18-24 who have transitioned from foster care with obtaining and maintaining housing.

FC2S partners with organizations, foundations, and individuals to deliver scholarships to foster youth across the country. With this funding and our support, hundreds of young people reach their educational goals every year.

Additional Support Systems

Provides scholarships to youth who have experienced homelessness to ensure their completion of a post-secondary education program. The program assists with financial aid processes, mental health advocacy and referrals, professional legal advocacy and referrals, and assistance in locating and establishing local contacts for general support and services. It builds a stable peer and adult support network for recipients, before, during, and after their college careers, and into their transition into the workforce.

Heritage University is here to support foster youth interested in pursuing a degree.

Eligibility Requirements and Application Process

Each scholarship and program has specific eligibility requirements and application processes. Common requirements include:

Age: Many scholarships have age restrictions, often targeting students under 25.
Foster Care History: Applicants typically need to demonstrate a history of foster care involvement, such as being in foster care for a certain period before a specific age or being adopted after a certain age.
Enrollment Status: Most scholarships require students to be enrolled in or accepted to an accredited college, university, or vocational program.
GPA: Some scholarships have minimum GPA requirements.
Financial Need: Many programs consider financial need as a factor in awarding scholarships.
Residency: Some scholarships are specific to residents of a particular state.

It is crucial to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application instructions for each scholarship before applying.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Start Early: Begin researching and applying for scholarships well in advance of college enrollment.
Gather Documentation: Collect all necessary documents, such as transcripts, foster care records, and financial aid information.
Write a Strong Essay: Craft a compelling essay that highlights your personal experiences, academic achievements, and goals.
Seek Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or mentors who can speak to your abilities and potential.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors and presents you in the best possible light.
Complete, sign and submit the ETV Spending Plan before the beginning of each quarter or semester and receive approval by ETV staff. When all paperwork is received and approved, funds will be sent directly to the student.
All students, incoming and returning, should complete the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA) located on their RamWeb account.

Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Success

Pursuing higher education can be challenging for any student, but foster youth may face additional obstacles, such as:

Lack of family support
Financial instability
Emotional trauma
Housing insecurity

It is essential to seek out support services and resources to help overcome these challenges. Many colleges and universities have programs specifically designed to support foster youth, providing academic advising, counseling, and other forms of assistance.

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