Financial Aid for Adopted and Foster Kids

No matter how old you are, it’s never too early to start thinking about and applying for scholarships that can help get you one step closer to your dream school. Adopted students, and students with a background in foster care, have plenty of chances to win scholarships to help further their educational goals. Here, we’ve compiled a list of possible scholarships for both types of students, as well as tips to know before you’re ready to send off your application.

Am I Eligible for Scholarships?

While being an adoptee or having a background in foster care is one important part of the application, some scholarships have their own set of eligibility requirements that you’ll need to meet. Sometimes, this means having a certain grade point average, a few letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose and more. Some scholarships even require an interview. Scholarships are not one-size-fits-all, so remember to read the requirements for each award thoroughly before getting started. For more help, you can also reach out to your high school counselor, your school’s library or the financial aid office at your chosen college for more information on the requirements for any scholarships you’re interested in applying for.

Tips for Your Application

• Give Yourself Plenty of Time: While many people claim that they work best under pressure, the truth is that putting your application off until the last minute so that you’re not able to put your best effort into it can really hurt your chances. Not only that — but giving yourself less time to do your best work means rushing, and rushing can mean the difference between winning and losing some much-needed financial help. You can apply for scholarships as early as you like, so always try to avoid procrastinating whenever possible.
• Don’t forget to check the details of your scholarship: Most scholarships require you to apply online, which means that you won’t be able to make any changes once you hit send. To save yourself some time and grief, don’t forget to give your entire application a quick glance before submitting, and make sure that you’ve followed all of the directions that the application is asking for.
• Remember to stay organized: If you’re applying for more than one scholarship — which you definitely should be — remember to keep track of your upcoming deadlines. This can be a quick note in your school planner, or even a notebook dedicated to the scholarships you’ve applied for. Once the deadline for a scholarships passes — that’s it. So remember to stay on top of them so that you don’t miss your chance at winning an important scholarship!
• Don’t give up on applying: Unfortunately, the truth about scholarships is that you might not win the one you were hoping for. But you shouldn’t let that stop you. There are brand-new scholarships every day, so even if you aren’t awarded with the one you were hoping for, there are still plenty of chances to succeed. The key to winning scholarships is casting a wide net, so apply early and as often as you can.
• Watch out for scams: One of the best things about scholarships and grants is that you don’t have to pay them back or pay to apply for them. If you come across an application that is asking for payment to apply, that’s an automatic red flag. Just because scholarships are considered “free money” doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t still be cautious.

Start Your Scholarship Search Today

Now that you know some important tips on how to be a scholarship winner, it’s time to start applying. Remember — the best way to not win any scholarships is to not apply, so remember to start early. Just to give you an idea of what to do next, here are a few of the possible scholarships that you can apply for today, along with some information on other programs for financial aid:

Scholarships for Students from Foster Care and Adoption

• Casey Family Scholars Program
• NFPA Youth Scholarship
• Fostering Futures Scholarship
• Horatio Alger Association National Scholarship

Although scholarships for adopted students are some of the best options when it comes to paying for education, some states also have specific programs in place to help support children adopted from foster care. Students can also take advantage of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Don’t forget to check these out as well during your search, and don’t forget about early applications for these important programs!