Foster, Adopted, & Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
Financial Resources
Financial Aid is a crucial part in obtaining a college education for many students. Alpena Community College Financial Aid Office is committed to assisting Foster, Adopted, and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth to obtain Higher Education. Below are resources listed to assist in making college financing a possibility.
Youth In Transition (YIT)YIT can be used to help with the costs of books, uniforms, transportation (monthly bus pass), equipment, supplies, and other expenses related to their educational goals that are not covered by any other funding source.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Michigan youth who are active in the foster care system, placed out of their home based on abuse and neglect, starting at age 14 and up to age 23.
- Michigan youth, ages 18 to 23, that have been in foster care on or after their 14th birthday but are no longer under DHS/Tribal supervision.
- A youth who has or had an open juvenile justice case and is placed in an eligible placement under the supervision of DHS.
Where to Apply:
- A youth with an open case can access funds through his/her foster care case manager.
- A youth with a closed case must apply for closed case services (YIT) in the current county of residence through the local DHS office.
- A tribal youth who was or is only supervised by a tribal court may contact DHS at (517) 373-9219
The National Foster Parent Association offers scholarships to NFPA members whose birth, foster, and U.S. adopted youth wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational/technical school or junior college. Application forms open at the beginning of January and the deadline to get the form is in early March.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Offered to NFPA (National Foster Parent Association) members whose birth, foster, and US adopted youth wish to further their education beyond high school, including college or university studies, vocational/technical school or junior college.
- Awarded to high school-level students who are graduating or getting their GED.
- 2 Letters of recommendation from foster parents, social workers, residential center, principal/teacher, counselor, employer, etc.
- 300-500 word essay on this year's topic found on the application form.
Where to Apply:
Education and Training Voucher (ETV)The Chafee Educational and Training Voucher Program (ETV) provides resources specifically to meet the education and training needs of youth aging out of foster care. This program makes vouchers of up to $5,000 per fiscal year available to eligible youth attending post-secondary educational and vocational programs.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Youth who are or have been in an eligible foster care placement or are an unaccompanied refugee minor supervised by DHS, on or after their 14th birthday, through the State of Michigan.
- Youth adopted from foster care or placed in relative guardianship from foster care after their 16th birthday (if adoption or guardianship occurred prior to the 16th birthday youth is NOT eligible).
- Youth that have a high school diploma or GED and are attending, at least part-time, an accredited post-secondary institution.
NOTE: Youth must be enrolled prior to his/her 21st birthday if youth meets the criteria. If the youth participated in the ETV program before his/her 21st birthday, eligibility continues until age 26 provided youth receives at least a 2.0 GPA, and does not have more than one incomplete or withdrawal per semester. Maximum eligibility of 5 years.
Where to Apply:
- On-line at https://mietv.samaritas.org
- Samaritas: 1-877-660-6388
What you must have to apply:
- ETV application.
- ETV Student Education Agreement.
- ETV Budget Form.
- ETV Financial Aid Release Form.
- Copy of high school diploma or GED.
- Copy of acceptance letter from the school
- Copy of class schedule/enrollment.
- Copy of post-secondary school transcript to ensure passing grades.
- Copy of financial aid package.
- Copy of cost of tuition.
MYOI is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Human Services, the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative, the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency, and many other local community partners. MYOI's goal is to ensure that young people in foster care have successful outcomes in housing, education, employment, community engagement, and health. Please see your MYOI county contacts to see if you are eligible.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Michigan youths who are active in the foster care system, placed out of their home based on abuse and neglect, after age 14 and up to age 23.
- Michigan youth, ages 18 to 23, that have been in foster care on or after their 14th birthday but are no longer under DHS supervision.
Enrollment:
- Verify eligibility with the **local coordinator.
- Complete the enrollment packet.
- Complete eight hours of financial literacy training.
- Open one Individual Development Account (IDA) and one personal savings account.
- Complete an online survey.
**NOTE: Alpena/Montmorency: Fred Barr (989) 354-7200; Alcona/Iosco: Mike Haire (989) 362-0300
Fostering Futures ScholarshipEligibility Requirements:
- Student must have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse/neglect on or after their 13th birthday.
- Enroll at least half-time at a participating institution
- Student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Student may receive funding at any age. (There is no upper age limit.)
- Must be a Michigan resident since July 1 of the previous calendar year.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee.
- Student must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards as set by the institution.
- Not be in default on a Federal Student Loan
Where to Apply:
- The application form can be downloaded from www.fosteringfutures-mi.com
- Request application from SSG 1-888-447-2687
NOTE: Student needs to submit an application every year during the open enrollment period.
Foster Care to Success ScholarshipEligibility Requirements:
- In foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including their 18th birthday OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after their 16th birthday OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday and not subsequently adopted.
- Student must 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.
- Student has been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States; U.S. citizenship not required.
- Student has been adopted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other postsecondary school.
- Student must be an undergraduate.
Where to Apply:
- www.fc2success.org
- click “our programs”
- click “scholarships & grants”
- then click on “CLICK HERE FOR STUDENT/APPLICANT INFO”
- Scholarship renewable up to five years if the student remains compliant with the program requirements.
- Scholarship is based on a combination of need and merit.
Scholarships are awarded for the pursuit of post-secondary education, including vocational/technical training, and are renewable each year based on satisfactory progress and financial need.
https://www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/
The scholarship is awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Have completed high school (or earned a high school equivalency credential)
- Will enroll in eligible program in Fall 2020
- Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program (up to 2 years) at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States
- Demonstrated critical financial need (must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell grant as determined by completion of the FAFSA)
- Demonstrated perseverance in overcoming adversity
- Be under the age of 30
- Be a United States citizen
Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and supplies. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient.
Where to apply:
The SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership & Scholarship Program
Provides scholarships to youth who have experienced homelessness to ensure their completion of a post-secondary education program. The program assists with financial aid processes, mental health advocacy and referrals, professional legal advocacy and referrals, and assistance in locating and establishing local contacts for general support and services. It builds a stable peer and adult support network for recipients, before, during, and after their college careers, and into their transition into the workforce. This offers young people meaningful opportunities to engage in advocacy while providing sustained support services to help ensure graduation and success in life.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must have been born on or after Oct. 1, 2000.
- Applicants must be entering college for the first time during the fall of the 2021-2022 school year. This means that the application is for students who will be high school seniors in the fall of 2020; for those who are in GED programs; and for those who plan to take a gap year.
- Applicants must have experienced homelessness within the last six years.
- Applicants must reside in the United States
- Undocumented students who meet these criteria are eligible.
Where to apply:
Adoption STAR Academic Scholarship ProgramThrough its academic scholarship program, Adoption STAR recognizes college-bound individuals who were adopted by providing academic scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements:
- High school transcripts and/or other applicable test scores that reflect improvement and high achievement should be furnished with the application.
- The applicant must have been adopted or in foster care and be known to have overcome adversity.
- The applicant should demonstrate good character and high achievement despite obstacles or special challenges.
- The applicant must have advanced education plans for a 4-year college.
- The applicant should have demonstrated academic progress during their four years of high school.
- The applicant should possess good character, described by two letters of recommendation with at least one of the letters furnished by a teacher or guidance counselor.
- High school transcripts and/or other applicable test scores that reflect improvement and high achievement should be uploaded with the application.
- Awardees must be willing to share their name, photo, and personal statement and update after they begin college. These will be shared by Adoption STAR on social media and their website.
Where to Apply:
For assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Director at 989.358.7286.