The Orphan Foundation of America and Casey Family Scholars Program are offering $1.5 million to help foster youth attend college, university, or training programs.
These scholarships are competitive. The deadline to apply is March 31.
More information and application procedures are available at www.orphan.org
Another source of financial assistance is available through state vouchers: www.statevoucher.org/
The process is less competitive, but getting the paperwork from the school can be problematic.
My friend Anjey Breno, who works for the Orphan Foundation of America, reports that foster youth are more likely to follow through with the entire application process if a caring adult is there to guide them through the process.
Youth who are eligible receive up to $5,000 a year to help with tuition, student loans, books, rent and food.
Showing posts with label scholarships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scholarships. Show all posts
Monday, February 12, 2007
Friday, August 11, 2006
Foster Youth and College
Here is a link to my article about educational vouchers for Arizona foster children: http://www.edspresso.com/2006/08/what_the_arizona_foster_vouche.htm
Educational challenges for foster youth to overcome:
- 65% of foster children experience seven or more school K-12 changes.
- There is often a lack of (biological) parental support.
- Many foster youth do not attend high schools with college preparatory curriculum.
- 37% of foster youth drop out of high school, as opposed to 16% of nonfoster youth.
- Many earn their GED, rather than a diploma.
Foster teens often perceive college as unaffordable. They may lack the skills (or patience) necessary to fill out a FAFSA form online.
Due to the myriad of disadvantages, it should not be surprising that, although 70% of foster teenagers express interest in attending college, only 10% of traditionally college-aged foster youth access post-secondary education. What this means is that roughly 100,000 college qualified foster youth are missing out on opportunity to attend.
Programs that support college access by foster youth:
- Chaffee Independence program
- Chaffee Education & Training Voucher
- Statewide and independently-based programs (Guardian Scholars Program at CSU, Governor’s Scholarship Program in Washington
Facts about foster alumni who go to college:
- Foster youth represent less than 1% of undergraduates.
-The majority of foster youth undergraduates are female .
- Foster youth have substantially lower incomes than non-foster students.
Despite their disadvantages, foster youth are just as likely to attend 4-year colleges, are as likely to attend full-time and their college costs are nearly identical.
However, foster alumni are more likely to drop out of college. (53% of foster vs. 31% nonfoster college students dropped out in 2001).
Two suggestions to improve the situation:
1.) Housing: Residence halls need to open year-round. States can provide former foster care youths, ages 18, 19, and 20, with financial, housing, counseling, employment and education. However, there is a federal requirement that no more than 30% of a state’s allotment of funds may be used to provide room and board.
2.) Programs like GEAR UP and TRIO should target foster youth. Foster youth in high school need mentoring and guidance.
Sources:
Davis, Ryan K. Research and Policy Associate. National Association of Student Aid Administrators 2006 Retention Conference.
Educational challenges for foster youth to overcome:
- 65% of foster children experience seven or more school K-12 changes.
- There is often a lack of (biological) parental support.
- Many foster youth do not attend high schools with college preparatory curriculum.
- 37% of foster youth drop out of high school, as opposed to 16% of nonfoster youth.
- Many earn their GED, rather than a diploma.
Foster teens often perceive college as unaffordable. They may lack the skills (or patience) necessary to fill out a FAFSA form online.
Due to the myriad of disadvantages, it should not be surprising that, although 70% of foster teenagers express interest in attending college, only 10% of traditionally college-aged foster youth access post-secondary education. What this means is that roughly 100,000 college qualified foster youth are missing out on opportunity to attend.
Programs that support college access by foster youth:
- Chaffee Independence program
- Chaffee Education & Training Voucher
- Statewide and independently-based programs (Guardian Scholars Program at CSU, Governor’s Scholarship Program in Washington
Facts about foster alumni who go to college:
- Foster youth represent less than 1% of undergraduates.
-The majority of foster youth undergraduates are female .
- Foster youth have substantially lower incomes than non-foster students.
Despite their disadvantages, foster youth are just as likely to attend 4-year colleges, are as likely to attend full-time and their college costs are nearly identical.
However, foster alumni are more likely to drop out of college. (53% of foster vs. 31% nonfoster college students dropped out in 2001).
Two suggestions to improve the situation:
1.) Housing: Residence halls need to open year-round. States can provide former foster care youths, ages 18, 19, and 20, with financial, housing, counseling, employment and education. However, there is a federal requirement that no more than 30% of a state’s allotment of funds may be used to provide room and board.
2.) Programs like GEAR UP and TRIO should target foster youth. Foster youth in high school need mentoring and guidance.
Sources:
Davis, Ryan K. Research and Policy Associate. National Association of Student Aid Administrators 2006 Retention Conference.
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