Helping Foster Kids Navigate Scholarships &amp; Admissions

eligibility

Terms and How to
Calculate Eligibility

Check if you qualify by reviewing the basic terms and criteria for each program.

Terms and How to <br>Calculate Eligibility

guide

FAFSA and
Financial Aid

Your gateway to grants, loans, and work-study funds. View a detailed guide on how to apply!

scholarship

California -
Specific Aid

Explore the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship, which can provide significant aid for you.

Getting Started

Walk-Throughs

Explore the Cal Grant and the Middle Class Scholarship, which can provide significant aid for you.

Checklist For what you need to apply

Social Security Card
Make sure you check Social Security card name
(Legal name, no nicknames)

W-2 Forms and other records of earnings
Optional supporting text. feel free to remove this text.

Most Recent Income Tax Return
Optional supporting text. feel free to remove this text.

Records of Untaxed Income
Optional supporting text. feel free to remove this text.

Current Bank Statements
Optional supporting text. feel free to remove this text.

Real Estate Purchase Years, Price,
& Current Mortgage Info

Business and Farm Records (if any)
Optional supporting text. feel free to remove this text.

Stocks, Bonds, and Other Investment
Account Records

Last Year Retirement Account
Contribution Amounts

Drivers License
(if you have one)

Find Out More

About theProgram

Foster youth face significant barriers to higher education, and statistically, they are among the most underrepresented groups in college. The National Foster Youth Institute shares that just around 3-4% of kids from the program earn a four-year degree. This record reflects not a lack of potential, but a lack of support systems that most young adults rely on while transitioning into independence. With the right support structures, foster youth can thrive academically and change their life trajectories turning a story of adversity into one of achievement and self-determination. Foster Future helps foster kids go to college affordably by guiding them through how to utilize the resources available to them.

Materials & Resources

FAFSA

Free Application for Federal Student Aid

A federal application used to determine eligibility for financial aid
Required to apply for grants, student loans, and work-study programs
Also used by many colleges and scholarship programs to award aid

CAL Grant

State Grant

A California state financial aid program for eligible students
Provides grant money that does not need to be repaid
Helps cover tuition and other educational expenses at qualifying colleges
Eligibility is based on FAFSA information, GPA, and financial need

Middle Class

Scholarship

A California scholarship program for middle-income families
Helps reduce the cost of attending UC and CSU campuses
Award amounts are based on family income and financial need
Students are automatically considered after submitting the FAFSA

CHAFEE

Foster-Specific Funding

A financial aid program designed for current or former foster youth
Provides funding for college, career, and technical education programs
May help cover tuition, housing, books, transportation, and supplies
Students may remain eligible for support until age 26

California Dream Act

a. What is it? → The FAFSA Equivalent for Undocumented Students
b. Requirements are:

Satisfaction of either of the following:
- High School attendance in California for three or more years.
- Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.
Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or obtained a Certificate or General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

a. What is it? → Deferred action for two years if eligible, and can be subject to renewal
b. Requirements are:

Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012 (that is, you were born on or after June 16, 1981)
Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday; - Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the time of filing your request for DACA;
Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA with USCIS;
Had no lawful immigration status on June 15, 2012, and at the time of filing your request for DACA, meaning that:
- You never had a lawful immigration status on or before June 15, 2012, or
- Any lawful immigration status or parole that you obtained had expired as of June 15, 2012, and
- Any lawful status that you had after June 15, 2012, expired or otherwise terminated before you submitted your request for DACA;
Are currently enrolled in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a General Education Development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Coast Guard or armed forces of the United States; and
Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor (that is, a misdemeanor as described in 8 CFR 236.22(b)(6)), or 3 or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.