Resources for Fostering Independence

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1 Resources for Fostering Independence Educational Resources Board of Governor s Grant/Waiver (BOGW) enables emancipated foster youth to receive free tuition while attending any California community college. Check individual college websites for more information on how to apply. Chafee Grant Program This program makes available vouchers of up to $5,000 per year per youth for post secondary education and training. For additional information, call the California Student Aid Commission at (888.CA.GRANT). Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) or Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) offers book vouchers, counseling services and priority registration to eligible students on more than 100 college campuses in California. The deadline for most CSUs is November 30 th. Check individual college websites for eligibility requirements and further details. CA College Pathways Project provides information about support services for current and former foster youth based on college campuses throughout the state. Some programs offer funding, mentoring, year-round housing, and more! Visit to find out if a program exists on your campus. Youth Development Program for DCFS & Probation Youth Foster youth between the ages of 16 and 21 are eligible for a range of Independent Living Program (ILP) services and funds. Resources may include: high school graduation expenses (up to $400), work-related expenses (clothing, tools, job training costs), life skills training classes, participation in events (Celebration, Success is Our Future) and various educationrelated expenses (tuition, books, transportation). For eligibility requirements and additional information, visit or call Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is a student s first step to receiving financial aid, regardless what school he/she attends. Fill out the online application after January 1 st at Be sure to fill out a PIN number in advance and note your ward of the court status when filling out the application. Cal Grant A, B, C, & T After completing the FAFSA, Cal Grant will assist with tuition and fees at public and independent colleges, and some occupational and career colleges. Cal Grant awards are state funded monetary grants given to students to help pay for college expenses. The awards do not have to be paid back. File a GPA Verification Form with the California Student Aid Commission by no later than March 2nd. Some high schools and colleges automatically file their students verified GPAs with the Commission. Some do not. You must confirm whether your school will file your GPA for you, or obtain a GPA Verification Form, get it certified by a school official and mail it yourself. To obtain a form and more information, please visit:

2 Scholarships for Foster Youth Aaron Ruben Scholarship Fund is administered by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). To be eligible, applicants must have been under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court of Los Angeles County. For information, call their office in Monterey Park at or check out the website: Applications are due by the end of June. Celebration is a graduation event sponsored by LA County DCFS and UFC. To be eligible, you must be ILP eligible, graduating with a 2.8 or higher GPA and plan to attend a college or trade school. Participants become eligible for a number of scholarships and at a minimum of $300. Applications are due by the end of February. Call (213) for additional information on Celebration. Change a Life Foundation Foster youth and former foster youth that are graduating seniors, planning to attend a two or four year school, are from LA, San Diego, and Orange County with a 3.0 GPA or better are encouraged to apply for this nonrenewable scholarship for up to $5,000. Applications are due early to mid April. Visit and look for College Scholarship Programs for more information. Foster Care 2 Success administers several scholarships including: Foster Students Education Foundation, Casey Family Scholars, and Tangles Hearts. Scholarships range in value from $5000 to $10,000. To learn more about application requirements and deadlines, please refer to Application deadline is typically the end of March. Friends of Foster Children (FOFC) offers scholarships between $500 and $1,000 to current or emancipated foster youth continuing their education beyond high school. The deadline is generally in early to mid March. Please call for information regarding the application. Guardian Scholars is a comprehensive program that supports former foster youth in their efforts to gain a university, community college or trade school education, covering any unmet financial need of recipients. Call ext. 233 or check out for more information on participating schools. Please note that preference may be given to youth emancipating from the Orange County foster care system. Applications are due alongside university admission applications. National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) offers scholarships 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. Scholarships are also available for birth and adopted youth in foster homes. It is a non-renewable scholarship for up to $1,000. Applications are due end of March. Visit for details.

3 nsoro Educational Foundation is committed to creating new cycles of achievement for students in foster care. They provide academic scholarships and vital support necessary, like summer internships, to ensure the success of students. If you have ever been in foster care and can show documentation from the state and you are pursuing higher education, we strongly encourage you to apply for an nsoro Scholarship of up to $8,000. Visit for more information. The application deadline is late March. Renaissance Scholars honors the achievements of motivated and talented young people emancipating from the foster care system. This comprehensive program provides support services to help emancipated foster students achieve their educational goals. Programs currently hosted at Cal Poly Pomona and University of California, Santa Cruz UFC College Sponsorship Program Each year, UFC selects 30 seniors to receive awards of $3,000 per year for up to five years, as well as ongoing support. Eligible students should be ILP Eligible and planning to attend a four-year college or university. Call for an application. Community college transfer students are also eligible. Primary deadline for high school graduates is mid-january and final application deadline is the end of January. The deadline is early April for first time transfer students. Youth Opportunities United, Inc. (Y.O.U.) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that offers $1,000 non-renewable scholarships to graduating seniors with a 2.0 or better going on to college or a trade school. Applications are due in July. Contact Lisa Kay for an application at (213) Other Scholarships (not specific to foster youth) Alvin Cox Memorial Scholarship requires applicants write a two page essay answering the reason for pursuing higher education. Please visit for more information. The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to exceptional Asian and Pacific Islander Americans with financial need. A list of participating funders can be found at Deadlines range but begin in January. Carl s Jr. High school seniors planning to attend a 2 year, 4 year or vocational program receive a $1,000 scholarship. Application is usually posted early January and due by the end of the same month. Learn more at Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation High School Seniors must apply by end of October! Check out: Gates Millennium Scholars Visit: Nominations are due in January! General Motors Minority Dealers Association A limited number of scholarships in the amount of $2,500 are awarded annually to ethnic- minority high school seniors and college students. Applicants are chosen based on their academic merit, community

4 and work experience, career aspirations and strength of personal statement. Visit for more information. The Hispanic College Fund Applications open in December and are due by mid March. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident residing in the United States, and be studying full-time in the United States or Puerto Rico with a minimum GPA of a 3.0. See for a list of the scholarships they offer. The Human Rights Campaign lists scholarships for LGBT & Allied Students at The Jackie Robinson Foundation Check out: or call for more eligibility information. Applications are available on their website in mid-october. Deadline is end of March. Awards are announced in July/August. KFC s Colonel s Scholars Program Application will come out early December. Must have minimum GPA of 2.75 and be, demonstrate financial need, and plan to pursue a BA in a public, in state university. Awards can be up to $ per year. Please visit for more information. Mahatma Rice Scholarship Application must be completed by early February They have twenty two $2,000 cash rewards. Must complete online application along with essay that answers What will my college degree say about me? Please visit for more information. Ron Brown Scholar Program seeks talented and African American youth to participate in a scholarship program. A minimum of ten high school students receive $10,000 per year for four years to be used to pursue any academic discipline at a university of their choice within the US. The application process requires an interview in Washington, DC with expenses paid. November 1 deadline: Applicants considered for Ron Brown Scholar Program and forwarded to additional scholarship providers. January 9 deadline: Applicants considered for the Ron Brown Scholars Program ONLY. Visit: S.O.A.R. Scholarship 2010 Essay contest One $1,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior entering a university in the United States in the fall of Awards based on a word essay (not academic standing) addressing the following topic: My Life, My Choice: How I Succeed Where Others Fail Despite My Circumstances. Mail to S.O.A.R. Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box , Charlotte, NC Postmark deadline April 15, More information at Taylor Michaels Scholarship Program Check out for more information on this great scholarship program, part of the Magic Johnson Foundation. Deadline beginning of February, notifications sent out early May. Tom Joyner Foundation Full Ride Scholarship The scholarship will be awarded to a high school senior that has been accepted into an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities) in the United States. The

5 scholarship will recognize academic distinction as well as strong character. Scholarship covers tuition, room and board (on campus only) and books for up to ten semesters. Specific academic standards must be met to renew the scholarship each year. More information at United Negro College Fund The site lists numerous scholarships with various deadlines. Check out: US Bank Internet Scholarship Application online, please visit for further assistance. Must attend a four year institution and be enrolled by the following academic year. For more scholarship listings, check out Fast Web at Scholarships for Current Juniors Children s Defense Fund Beat the Odds Program works with outstanding high school juniors who have overcome tremendous adversity, demonstrated academic excellence and given back to their communities. Students are accepted into the program during the spring semester of their junior year and will receive a full year of support services (college applications, test prep, etc.) during their senior year. Scholarship money amounts vary from $1,000-$10, Discover Scholarship Program is available to current high school juniors with a minimum of 2.75 GPA (cumulative 9 th and 10 th grade) who demonstrate accomplishments in community service and leadership. Up to 10 scholarships of $30,000 each will be awarded and can be used for any post-high school education (including two year, four year, trade and technical education). January deadline. Advocacy Resources California Youth Connection (CYC) is a statewide nonprofit advocacy organization comprised of current and former foster youth, ages 14 to 24. Their mission is to promote participation of foster youth in policy development and legislative change in an effort to improve the foster care system. For more information, visit their website at or call Casey Family Programs is a nonprofit agency dedicated to community outreach and aftercare services for emancipated youth. For more information, visit or call You can also see the resources for youth found at LA County Youth Development Services Ombudsman Onitsha Thompson, the Ombudsman, is available to answer questions or concerns about accessing services or receiving fair treatment. She can be contacted at Transition Resource Centers are places where youth can obtain information on resources and services available through DCFS and Probation. Visit

6 United Friends of the Children (UFC) UFC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of foster children and to supporting former foster youth in their journey to become successful, independent adults. Through its education, career development and transitional living programs, advocacy efforts and direct involvement with youth, UFC seeks to be a catalyst for change. Contact UFC at or visit the website at