Scholarships

College can be affordable if you know what resources are out there to help you pay for it. Virginia youth in foster care have access to a number of financial aid resources to help make college or career training a reality.

Education and Training Vouchers program

The Education and Training Vouchers Program (ETV) assists eligible foster care and adopted youth with post-secondary education and training expenses. It is designed to help youth aging out of foster care with the education, training and services needed for employment. Apply here.

Virginia Tuition Grant Program

The Tuition Grant Program provides tuition and fees at any Virginia Community College for youth who graduated from high school or completed their general education development (GED) and who:

• Were in foster care when turning age 18;
• Are in the custody of DSS; or
• Are considered a special needs adoption.

Assistance is based on financial need. More information is available here.

GRASP Scholarships

The Great Aspirations Scholarship Program (GRASP) is a nonprofit charitable organization funded by school systems, foundations, businesses and individual donors that assists students and families obtaining funding for post secondary education. Their goal is to ensure that every student has an equal opportunity for continuing education after high school, regardless of financial or social circumstances. GRASP has advisors in every area high school in Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, Petersburg, New Kent, Hopewell, Powhatan, Charles City and most of Richmond City. Appointments are free and are available one day a week by appointment only. Please go to www.grasp4virginia.com for more information.

Fostering a Future Scholarship

Children’s Action Network and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption have partnered to create a national scholarship program, Fostering a Future to benefit youth adopted from foster care. Applicants will be accepted between now and April 20, 2010. To download an application, please visit Children’s Action Network.

Casey Family Scholars Program

The Orphan Foundation’s Casey Family Scholars Program offers 100 scholarships annually, ranging from $2,500 to $6,000, for young people under the age of 25 who have spent at least 12 months in foster care and were not adopted. Apply for this program through The Orphan Foundation.

Darko Rapotez Memorial College Scholarship Fund for Aged Out Foster Youth

Love Our Children USA administers this scholarship, which offers between $5,000 and $10,000 in college tuition and fee assistance to youth ages 18-24 who have aged out of the foster care system.

Additional Resources

Virginia Education Wizard

The Virginia Education Wizard maintains a comprehensive list of scholarships available to students who enroll in one of Virginia’s 23 Community Colleges.

Don’t forget to explore ALL of your options when considering how to pay for college. Include the resources below to help you uncover the best way for you to pay for college.

• College financial aid offices have information about financial aid programs available from the institution and state government.
• Online search engines like www.scholarships.com and www.college-scholarships.com offer scholarship resources specifically for foster youth. Only utilize search services that are free. Or, check out FinAid for more scholarship search tools.
• School guidance counselors can offer information about financial aid programs available in your community.
• Libraries have resource books with information about national financial aid programs.
• Employers may provide educational assistance for employees.

For Practitioners

Casey Family Programs

Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest operating foundation entirely focused on foster care. The organization’s “It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training – A Guide for Transition Services” guide has a number of resources to help practitioners best serve foster youth.

Virginia College Savings Plan

Learn how to save for college using an IRC Section 529 qualified state tuition program with both prepaid and savings trust investment options.

Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (VASFAA)

Get your questions answered, link and resource ideas from Virginia’s financial aid professionals.

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Get your questions answered, link and resource ideas from financial aid professionals across the country.

Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia

Find information about Virginia’s private colleges and universities.

Commonwealth of Virginia: Financial Aid Page

Links and resources for more information on Virginia’s financial aid process.