For many youth aging out of Oregon's foster care system, college is simply not a financial reality.
With little to no family support or savings, foster youth are hard-pressed to cover tuition and fees, let alone the cost of living expenses and books. Too often, the process of piecing together financial aid to meet these needs is full of roadblocks and delays that prevent foster youth from attending college.
The Chafee Education & Training Grant, Tuition & Fee Waivers, and other financial aid at the state and federal level ensure that foster youth will have access to higher education.
Review the
Post-Secondary Scholarship, Grant & Waiver Eligibility Matrix. This document summarizes eligibility only. For additional details, review the information included below about various assistance and funding sources.
- FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) Applying for federal student aid is quicker and easier than ever. You can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov This is the key to additional funding - if you want to receive the Chafee ETG, Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG), Tuition & Fee Waiver or other scholarships you must fill out and submit the FAFSA...
- March 19, 2012 – Ability to Benefit Policy Change
Qualifying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by passing an "Ability to Benefit" Assessment (aka: Placement test) has been eliminated. As of July 1, 2012, in order for a student to be eligible for FAFSA, the student must have a:
- Regular high school diploma (a diploma that meets the criteria of an Oregon Diploma as delineated in OAR 581-022-1130); or,
- General Educational Development certificate (GED).
- Students graduating with a modified diploma will no longer have the option to apply for federal student aid for assistance with their college tuition.
Therefore, a student with a modified diploma will no longer be able to obtain federal financial aid (Pell, SEOG, subsidized loans). It is unclear if a modified diploma completely eliminates a student from accessing federal financial aid or if after successfully completing a certain amount of 100 level courses, could be considered for federal financial aid. See the attached links for further details.
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Federal Student Aid Programs
The following types of aid available to help you pay for your education after high school.
- Grants - student aid funds that do not have to be repaid (other conditions apply).
- Work-Study - a part-time work program to earn money while you are in school.
- Federal Loans - student aid funds that you must repay with interest.
Types of federal student loans:
Independent Student College Cost Reduction and Access Act
Provisions of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act: Effective July 1, 2009. The definition of independent student adds emancipated minor and being in a legal guardianship to the definition of independent student. It also changes the orphan or ward of the court until age 18 to be orphan or ward of the court or in foster care at any time on or after 13 years of age — Congress has resolved the issue of what orphan or ward of the court really means by saying that all of the above qualify as independent.
- Oregon GED website
- Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) Oregon's largest state funded need-based grant program for students planning to go to college.
- Tuition & Fee Waiver
- PDfs from OFYC on Tuition & Fee Waiver (college support brief, etc)
- DHS FAQ's
- Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC) The Oregon Student Access Commission is a state agency dedicated to creating a college-going culture for all Oregonians by providing access through information, mentoring, and financial support. OSAC has over 400 scholarship opportunities available including scholarships specifically for foster youth .http://www.oregonstudentaid.gov/home.aspx
- ASPIRE (Access to Student Assistance Programs In Reach of Everyone) a mentoring program that helps middle school & high school students access education & training beyond high school.
- DREAM Scholarship for Foster Youth (Privately funded) This scholarship goes to youth who were in the Oregon child welfare system in foster care and dismissed from care at age 16 or older or a youth who was adopted between the ages of 14 1/2 and 16, and did not receive Chafee Foster Care Independence Program funds before age 21. The OSAC Application is required.
- Foster Care & Education FAQ's: Question & Answer Fact sheet available from the Legal Center for Foster Care and Education - Postsecondary Education Resources for Youth in and Transitioning out of the Child Welfare System.
- Foster Care To Success (formerly Orphan Foundation of America) National Non-profit Program FCS provides scholarship and grant money to former foster students in colleges and specialized training programs across the country. OFA Application is required.
- National Foster Parent Association Scholarships The National Foster Parent Association offers scholarships for foster youth, adopted youth, or biological youth of currently licensed foster parents, who wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational/technical school or junior college
- Fostering A Future The Fostering A Future Scholarship, sponsored by Children's Action Network and The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, is a national scholarship program designed to provide youth who were adopted from foster care at or after the age of 13 with financial assistance in pursuing a college, vocational, or technical education.