Neglects and different forms of abuse are some of the challenges facing adopted children in the world today. The University of Chicago recently conducted research that shows that out of all adopted and foster students only one-half actually graduate from high school and only 6% of those who graduated went on to earn a college degree. In order to provide good and equal education to all students, many organizations have created scholarships for adopted students to assist them with financial supports through colleges and universities of their choice.
If you are an adopted child and need financial help, read on to learn more about 15 fully-funded scholarship opportunities that are specifically for adopted children from foster care.
1. Adoption Network Law Center Scholarship Program
The Adoption Network Law Center Scholarship Program is established to support Birth Parents and Adoptees who are interested in pursuing higher education.
Adoption Network Law Center awards are valued at $10,000 in scholarships funds annually.
The Adoption Network Law Center
Major: Any major
Award: $10,000
Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must be a Birth Parent or an Adopted Child
Deadline: October 15, 2021
Apply here: https://adoptionnetwork.com/adoption-scholarships
2. Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program is created for students who have been in the custody of the DCF. This also includes students who have been adopted by an eligible Massachusetts state employee or by an eligible Massachusetts resident through the DCF.
Students must be enrolled in a university or college pursuing a bachelor’s degree and not older than 24 at the start of the academic year.
Eligible students’ parents must submit the FAFSA and obtain documentation of adopted status from the DCF to present to the college’s financial aid department
- Scholarship Amount: Varies by school
- Deadline: Varies
Apply here: https://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/dcfado
3. Higher Education Opportunity Scholarship
The University of Florida’s Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) Scholarship is for children of full-time TEAMS employees. This scholarship is open for Children either natural, adopted, step, foster, or any other child for which legal guardianship can be documented, of a full-time TEAMS employee.
Provider: The University of Florida’s Higher Education
Major: Any Major
Award Amount: Varies
Eligibility: students must be an adoptee to qualify
Apply here: http://hr.ufl.edu/learn-grow/education-programs/higher-education-opportunity/
4. Horatio Alger National Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria:
- High school seniors with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the fall with critical financial assistance ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required).
- Demonstration of integrity in overcoming adversity.
- Must have passion for community service and co-curricular activities
Scholarship Amount: $25,000
Deadline: October 25, 2021 (Opens August 1, 2021)
Apply here:https://scholars.horatioalger.org/about-our-scholarship-programs/national-scholarships/
5. Also-Known-As Adoptee Excellence Scholarship
The Adoptee Excellence Scholarship Award is for internationally adopted students with a demonstration of academic achievements
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Deadline: Expected to open in February 2022 and close in late April 2022
Apply here: https://www.alsoknownas.org/scholarship
6. Foster Care to Success Casey Family Programs Continuing Education and Job Training Program
This opportunity is open to students who have received care from Casey Family Programs in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming.
Recipients must be planning to attend a post-secondary institution to obtain a certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, or postgraduate degree
Scholarship amount: Varies
Application deadline: The application is open March 1-May 1 and August 1-October 1 for the undergraduates. And February 1-April 1 for graduates.
Apply here: https://studentportal.fc2sprograms.org/login/
7. UmpsCare All-Star College Scholarship
UmpsCare All-Star College Scholarship is awarded to students adopted at or after age 13 and are under 20.
The recipient must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA
Scholarship amount: $5,000 per semester
Application Deadline: Not yet announced (Application opens February 1, 2022)
Apply here: https://www.umpscare.com/scholarship/all-star-college-scholarship/
8. Albuquerque Community Foundation Youth in Foster Care Scholarship
Albuquerque Community Foundation Youth in Foster Care Scholarship is for students who have resided in New Mexico and been in the New Mexico foster care program for at least one year.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be between 17 and 21 years old.
- Applicants must hold a minimum 2.5 GPA, whether they are currently in high school or college.
Note that the above requirement does not apply to GED holders who are applying to college.
Scholarship amount: $1,000
Application Deadline: June 3, 2022
Apply here: https://albuquerquefoundation.org/youth-in-foster-care-scholarship-program.aspx
9. Maryland Higher Education Commission Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be under the Maryland foster care youth and not older than 25.
- He or she must be pursuing an associate, bachelor’s degree, or vocational certificate at a Maryland Public institution of higher education. Must have completed the FAFSA and contact the financial aid office of the school being attended.
Scholarship amount: Full tuition waiver
Application Deadline: School deadlines vary, but make sure to fill out the FAFSA which is due June 30, 2022
Apply here: https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/FinancialAid/ProgramDescriptions/prog_fostercare.aspx
10. Arash Law Scholarship in the United States
Arash Law is one of California’s premier injury law firms. The scholarship amount is $1000 and is awarded to all current university students enrolled full-time in law school in the US. or hoping to do so in the future. The scholarship funds cover expenses such as tuition, books, or on-campus room & board for the academic year.
Major: Any major
Award Amount: Varies
Deadline: June 1, 2021
Apply here: https://scholarship-positions.com/arash-law-scholarship-in-the-united-states/2020/02/14/
11. Together We Rise Family Fellowship Scholarship
Together We Rise Family Fellowship Scholarship
is aimed at fostering youth planning on attending a four-year institution. Applicants must submit proof of foster care status, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a personal statement. The scholarship is awarded up to $18,000 per year, plus fellowship support and networking for qualified candidates
Deadline: March 28, 2021
Apply here: https://www.togetherwerise.org/family-fellowship/
12. Adoption STAR Academic Scholarship Program
The Adoption STAR Academic Scholarship Program is created to help adopted children.
Students applying must present transcripts either showing high performance or trends of improvement.
He or she must have overcome adversity, and plan on attending a 4-year college program.
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
Deadline: Varies.
Apply here: https://www.adoptionstar.com/resources/scholarship/adoption-star-academic-scholarship-application/
13. Oklahoma Independent Living Act (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the Oklahoma Independent Living Act Scholarship, you must be a resident of Oklahoma.
You must not be older than 26 and must have been in DHS custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18, and also graduated from an Oklahoma high school. And planning on attending a public college or university in Oklahoma
Scholarship amount: Full tuition waiver
Deadline: Varies
14. Vermont Chafee Education and Training Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria:
The scholarship is for Vermont students who were in DCF custody after the age of 14 (after age 16 if exited to adoption or legal guardianship).
Applicants must be under the age of 26 and demonstrate financial need.
Must submit the FAFSA, as well as two general applications to be eligible
Scholarship amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Varies.
Apply here: https://www.vsac.org/pay/student-aid-options/scholarships/foster-care-youth
15. Nicholas & Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship
Nicholas & Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship
Students are awarded to Italians who intend to major in music or education-related fields.
Recipients must be orphans or under any foster care.
Scholarship amount: Up to $6,500
Deadline: November 1, 2021 (Opens June 1, 2021)
Apply here: https://www.jccia.com/scholarships
Frequently asked questions about scholarships for adopted students
Can adopted children go to college for free?
There are various programs across the schools in the United States that provide the opportunity for an adopted child to go to college for free.