Scholarships for Foster & Adopted Youth

Massachusetts foster children under age 25 placed through the Department of Children and Families who enroll full-time at an eligible U.S. college may receive a Foster Child Grant of up to $6,000 per year for up to five consecutive years. Recipients must have signed a voluntary agreement with DCF for care and services beyond age 18. Grants may be used at any college or university in the continental United States. File the FAFSA or Massachusetts State Application for Financial Aid and contact the DHE Office of Student Financial Assistance or your DCF social worker to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents in compliance with Selective Service and not in default on student loans.

Tennessee residents who meet HOPE Scholarship academic requirements, were in Department of Children's Services custody at age 13 or older, and enroll at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution within four years of high school graduation may receive this tuition grant. The award covers tuition and mandatory fees not covered by gift aid, up to full tuition at an eligible public institution. File the FAFSA by September 1 for fall, March 1 for spring, or May 1 for summer enrollment. You must also provide official DCS certification confirming foster care eligibility.

The Adopted High School Scholarship is a merit award for U.S. high school graduates who attend a FAMU Adopted High School. FAMU maintains memoranda of agreement with a select group of partner high schools, and eligible students are typically top graduates nominated through those schools. Recipients are full university scholarship students who must live in on-campus housing during their first two academic years. Students apply for FAMU admission and are reviewed through the institutional scholarship process; contact the University Scholarship Program for current partner-school and nomination requirements.

Ohio residents ages 16 to 24 who are children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio veterans who served during a declared war or conflict may receive tuition assistance while enrolled full-time in an eligible Ohio associate or bachelor's program. Students at Ohio public institutions receive funding for 77% of tuition and general fees. Students at private institutions receive an annual award amount set each year by the War Orphans board. The number of recipients varies. Prior recipients must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Apply through the Ohio Department of Higher Education by the May 15 deadline.

The Alumni Child Scholarship, listed as the Alumni Scholarship on Grand View's financial aid site, provides one thousand dollars per year for four years to new full-time day first-year or transfer students whose parent or parents earned an associate, bachelor's, or master's degree from Grand View University. This award replaces the Viking Alumni Referral Scholarship for children of alumni. Students must enroll as undergraduate full-time day students at Grand View. The scholarship is automatically applied based on parent alumni status reported during the admission process and renews with continued full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress.

The Jerry Foster Memorial Scholarship awards $1,500 each year to a child of an IU Alumni Association chapter leader who currently serves as an officer or board member. Selection is based on academic achievement and financial need as determined by the IUAA Scholarship Committee, with preference for first-time recipients. Recipients must be enrolled as full-time undergraduates on any Indiana University campus. Students apply through the IU scholarships task in One.IU during the annual application window. Contact the IU Alumni Association scholarship staff with questions about eligibility and application timing.

Former foster youth ages 18 through 24 with U.S. citizenship who lived in foster care 12 or more consecutive months through age 18, were adopted or placed in guardianship from foster care after age 13, or were orphaned for at least one year at age 18 may apply. Applicants must be accepted into a full-time bachelor's degree program at an accredited nonprofit college. Ten scholars each receive up to $12,000 per year for up to five years toward tuition, fees, and educational expenses, plus housing allowances, retreats, and mentorship. Complete the application with proof of college acceptance and documentation of foster care experience. The program opens each March and closes in early May.

Undergraduate students in an MCAA student chapter pursuing construction management, mechanical engineering, HVAC, or a similar field, with demonstrated interest in mechanical contracting through activities or employment, may apply. The national Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship is $5,000. Apply through the JRGF/MCAA student scholarship process when forms are released. Recipients are selected by the MCAA Career Development Committee. The McCarl family established the award to commemorate Foster McCarl, Jr. and his contributions to mechanical contracting.

The Vernon-Child Memorial Fund at Rust College was established in 1999 to promote quality education for deserving students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who demonstrate academic achievement. Recipients sign a commitment statement to give back to Rust College the monetary value received while attending. The maximum award is $2,000 per year from the fund. Full-time undergraduates are selected by the college and awards are presented at Honors and Awards Day in April at the Holly Springs campus.

Minnesota resident undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at least half-time at a participating Minnesota institution with a child 12 or younger (14 if disabled) and demonstrated financial need may apply. The maximum award is up to $6,500 per eligible child per academic year. Campus financial aid offices administer awards. Apply through the MNAid Student Portal after completing the FAFSA or MN Dream Act application. The Minnesota Postsecondary Child Care Grant helps low-income students pay for child care while attending classes.