Higher Ed

Higher Ed Scholarships, FAFSA, and More

Want to be successful in your education? Looking for money to go to college or a trade school? You’ve come to the right place! Just follow the links below...

Also, don't forget to visit our internships page

2009 All-Star Kita Anderson wrote about the resources and scholarships she used to help pay for college. learn more here...

SCHOLARSHIPS
Many scholarship applications are due in the fall/winter of your senior year. So begin applying as soon as you can, and, most importantly, MEET THE DEADLINES! There are lots of scholarships available, but here are a few just for current and former foster youth:

International Student Foundation
Provide scholarships, mentoring and leadership training for select foster care and orphaned students...raising up leaders of influence.Learn more here...

Capital One Fostering a Future
The Capital One Fostering a Future Scholarship is open to children adopted from foster care to provide increased opportunities for advanced education. For more information about this scholarship, visit the Children's Action Network
Download Application

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program: This legislation helps ensure that young people involved in the foster care system get the tools they need to make the most of their lives. They may have opportunities for additional education or training, housing assistance, counseling and other services. Learn more here...

University of Phoenix Scholarships provided by NFPA Through a partnership with University of Phoenix and the National Foster Parent Association, NFPA will be provided 50 full tuition scholarships redeemable at University of Phoenix for youth in foster care affiliated with NFPA. Recipients may choose any campus they want to attend, including online. The program will be administered under the First Chance Scholarship umbrella, with two application periods per year. Learn more here...

Orphan Foundation of America Casey Family Scholars: Up to $10,000 to young people, under the age of 25, who have spent at least 12 months in foster care and were not subsequently adopted. Applications are available in January. Learn more...

Hildegard Lash Merit Scholarship: $5,000 per academic year, available to students who are currently in foster care or were in foster care at the time of their high school graduation and/or 18th birthday, who are entering their sophomore, junior or senior year as a full-time student at a four year college or university. Learn more...

Benjamin Eaton Scholarship Program: from the National Foster Parent Association Scholarship: for foster youth who wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational and job training, and correspondence courses, including the GED. Learn more...

Burtrez Morrow Educational Loan Program: Low-interest loans for young women currently in foster care or in foster care at the time of their high school graduation. Recipients must also be enrolled full-time at a four-year college or university and entering their junior or senior year in college. Learn more...

The Stewardship FoundationThe Stewardship Foundation's mission is to provide college scholarships to orphans and young adults from foster and out-of-home care environments who remain unadopted. Learn More...

EDUCATION & TRAINING VOUCHERS (ETV)
The Federal Government has handed down more than $40 million for Scholarships and Educational Training vouchers for foster youth! Best of all, in most cases this money can help pay for a Trade or Vocational school, and housing transportation, books, fees and other costs related to education. It can even help you get ready for your higher education by paying for testing fees (like SAT or ACT), tutoring, GED costs, and more! Find out how to access this money at your State Page

TUITION WAIVERS
Many states offer free tuition or special scholarships to current and former foster youth. Find out what your state offers at Learn more...

GET FINANCIAL AID
Apply for federal financial aid your senior year by filling out the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA for short). The amount of financial aid you qualify for is mostly based on how much your family makes, but here’s the good news: as a foster youth, you can mark yourself down as a 1-person family (only you). This means that they don’t count your parent’s income, which means foster youth usually qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid available. Learn more...

PREPARE FOR YOUR HIGHER EDUCATION WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL
Your grades, your GPA, your ACT scores, the classes you take and the activities and organizations you are involved with all count for talent-based scholarships. During your junior year of high school, choose some schools you’re interested in and find out how much they cost. Look at Private and state scholarships available to those who grew up in foster care. Don’t forget to explore what scholarships may be available to you based on your religious or ethnic background. You can also check with your social worker, your local foster parent association, and any organizations you belong to about scholarships they offer or know about. Keep track of deadlines!