Foster Youth

Heritage University is here to support foster youth interested in pursuing a degree. We can answer all your questions and help you plan your college career, including applying for foster youth-specific scholarships!

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Foster Care to Success Scholarships

Foster Care to Success has provided scholarships since 1991; in 2000 we restructured the program and since then have awarded over $15M to 2,000 students in all 50 states. We are proud of our graduation rate of 65%, with a persistence rate of 75% – both higher than those of the general population of college students.

Foster Care to Success Sponsored Scholarships – This program is funded by organizations, individuals and families across the country, giving them the opportunity to help fund foster youths’ post-secondary education so they can achieve brighter futures.

Deadline: March 31 annually

Eligibility:

• Have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including their 18^th birthday; OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after their 16^th birthday; OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18^th birthday and not subsequently adopted
• Be under the age of 25 on March 31 of the year in which they apply if they have not previously received scholarship funding from Foster Care to Success
• Have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States.  U.S. citizenship is not required.
• Have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other post-secondary school

NOTE: This is an undergraduate scholarship only.

Apply Here

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Washington State Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth

The Washington State Governor’s Scholarship for Foster Youth is a program that helps young men and women from foster care continue their education and earn a college degree.

Eligibility:

• Be enrolled as a Washington state high school senior and on track to graduate from high school during the 2018-2019 academic year.
• Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.0 or greater.
• Plan to enroll in college on a full-time basis, beginning the fall term of 2019, and complete a program of study at an eligible, nonprofit accredited public or independent college or university in the state of Washington.
• Have resided in Washington State for at least three academic years prior to high school graduation.
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA)
• Meet one of the following criteria (either currently or until age 18):

• • Placed by a Washington State court order in any of the following living situations:
    • Foster Care, Guardianship or Dependency Guardianship (non-relatives, relatives, residential/group care)
  • Placed in federally-recognized care (private nonprofit agency in Washington state),  classified as unaccompanied minor and rendered legal permanent residency in the United States
  • Placed under a dependency tribal court order outside of your home.

Applicants are not eligible if they:

• Have been adopted.
• Returned to live with their parents before turning 18 (regardless of whether the court continued to remain involved).
• Have had their dependency court order dismissed.
• Were not dependent to federal, state or tribal court prior age 18.

Awards: $2,000 to $4,000

Apply Here

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Catholic Charities – Foster Teen and Young Adult Services

We provide programs that guide and support foster youth between the ages of 14-23 as they transition from foster care to self-sufficiency. Through group trainings, one-on-one coaching, and adult and peer mentors, youth receive support to pursue their education, train for employment, learn financial literacy, and develop critical life skills such as creating healthy relationships, self-advocacy, and maintaining support networks.

We also assist homeless youth and youth ages 18-24 who have transitioned from foster care with obtaining and maintaining housing. We help youth in setting and achieving personal goals related to living independently.

Apply Here

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Education Training Vouchers (ETV)

What is the ETV Program?

The ETV program provides financial assistance for eligible youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college.

ETV awards are unique to each student and are based on the college or university’s Cost of Attendance (COA) formula, financial aid award and the student’s unmet need.

The maximum ETV award, per academic year is $5000.  However, not every student is eligible to receive the maximum amount.  Awards are based on the student’s unmet need which is determined by their college or university.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

You may be eligible to apply to the ETV program if you meet any one of the following:

1. You are 16 to 20 years old, currently involved in a dependency action in a Washington state or tribal court, in the care and custody of DCYF or an ICW agency, and in foster care.
2. You are 18 to 20 years old and have aged out of state or tribal care. Youth who have aged out of foster care in a state other than Washington may also be eligible to apply.
3. You were adopted or entered guardianship with a relative on or after the age of 16.
4. If you participated and received ETV funds prior to age 21, you may be eligible to age 23.

Apply Here

If you are a:

FIRST TIME applicant, complete the New Application.

RETURNING applicant, complete the Renewal Application.

RUNNING START STUDENT or student enrolled in a DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM, complete the Dual Credit Program Application.

Educational costs covered by Running Start/Dual Credit Program are:

• Books
• Transportation costs
• Fees
• School supplies/equipment

When is the application due?

Priority Deadline:  January 1 to April 30

Wait List:  May 1 to July 31

Application Closes:  July 31

What are my responsibilities?

1. Read, sign and return the Participation Agreement and Consent Form.
2. Maintain at least monthly contact with ETV staff
3. Meet your school Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy and Pace of Progression requirements by receiving a 2.0 GPA or higher.
4. Enroll at least half-time or more (six or more credits).

How do I access my ETV funds?

1. Once a student is awarded ETV funds, the student must confirm the notification.
2. Complete, sign and submit the ETV Spending Plan before the beginning of each quarter or semester and receive approval by ETV staff. (NEW)
3. Complete the Statewide Payee Registration form and return to ETV staff.
4. Submit your class schedule at the beginning of each term and unofficial transcripts at the end of each term.
5. When all paperwork is received and approved, funds will be sent directly to the student. Sending in receipts will no longer be necessary. (NEW)

There are no changes to the Running Start/Dual Credit ETV Program.  Students will still need to submit payment requests with receipts to receive reimbursements.

ETV Program Staff:

Kathy Ramsay, Program Manager
(360)902-7990
kathy.ramsay@dcyf.wa.gov

Victoria Ackerman, Program Coordinator
(360)902-8281
victoria.ackerman@dcyf.wa.gov