Hey, are there scholarships available for foster youth heading to college? If you've gone through this process, I'd love to hear about your experience or suggestions on where to look for these opportunities.
Yes, there are definitely many scholarships designed specifically to assist foster youth in pursuing higher education.
The Foster Care to Success (FCS) program, for example, offers the largest scholarship program for foster youth across the nation, providing awards ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per year based on a combination of need and merit.
Additionally, there's the Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program, which provides numerous scholarship opportunities for students who have faced and overcome great obstacles, including those in foster care. The scholarships can cover anything from two-year career and technical education to a bachelor's degree, with amounts varying from $10,000 to $25,000.
Another option is the Educational and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program for Youths Aging out of Foster Care. It offers up to $5,000 per year to former foster youth who are enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational training program.
Furthermore, many states also have specific scholarships and tuition waiver programs for foster youth. Be sure to look at what your own state offers—you may qualify for additional assistance there.
In the end, do keep in mind that many campus-based resources and programs are designed to help foster youth transition to and succeed in college, and some even have specific staff dedicated to supporting students like you.
Remember, while looking for scholarships, be sure to stay organized, keep track of deadlines, and submit the best application you can, complete with any required materials or essays. Best of luck in your search!
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