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.
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.
The Tuition Grant Program provides tuition and fees at any Virginia Community College for high school graduates or general education development (GED) completers in foster care, in the custody of a social services agency or considered a special needs adoption.
The Orphan Foundation provides a number of scholarship programs and on-campus support to foster youth and young adults who were adopted at age 16 and older. Applications are available online, along with tips on how to apply.
The National Foster Parent Association offers scholarships to help foster students pay for education beyond high school at any college or university. Applicants must be current high school seniors.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Learn how to save for college using an IRC Section 529 qualified state tuition program with both prepaid and savings trust investment options.
Get your questions answered, link and resource ideas from Virginia’s financial aid professionals.
Get your questions answered, link and resource ideas from financial aid professionals across the country.
Find information about Virginia’s private colleges and universities.
Links and resources for more information on Virginia’s financial aid process.
Information about tuition assistance through opportunities offered by the Virginia Army National Guard.