scholarship options
for ARKANSAS foster youth
A pre-requisite for the scholarships listed below is a completed FAFSA application . . . which will require you to have the following documents. To learn more about the FAFSA and how to fill it out correctly, check out the tools here.
3
DRIVER'S LICENSE OR OFFICIAL I.D.
If you need a photo ID and do not have a drivers license, bring your birth certificate to a revenue office and they can issue you a photo ID
5
TAX RETURNS OR W-2 FORMS
are needed for filling out your FAFSA
4
1ST COURT ORDER FOR FOSTER CARE
This is proof that you were in foster care and will qualify you for a PELL grant . . . free school money!
1
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD
If lost, you can apply for a new one at a local social security office
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BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Ask your caseworker for a copy of your birth certificate before you turn 18 or get one on your own.
Arkansas Academic Challenge
http://www.myarkansaslottery.com/about/scholarships
Amount: Starts with about $2000; students receive more each year they stay in college.
Requirements
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Must fill out FAFSA
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19 on ACT or equivalent
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Arkansas resident
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Accepted for admissions at an approved institution of higher education
Deadline: June 1st
Workforce Improvement Grant
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/rulesRegs/Arkansas%20Register/2005/sep_2005/008.10.05-005.pdf
Amount: $2000
Requirements
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Are you at least 24 years old?
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Do you have need beyond what FAFSA and Pell grants offer?
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Students do not have to be full time, but money is awarded with priority to students with more hours. (minimum is 3 credit hours).
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Each institution has its own deadline.
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Complete FAFSA & application
Deadline: June 1st
Useful information: Students must apply each year, as this is not a renewable scholarship. Students who withdraw from school may owe a refund to the program.
Higher Education Opportunities Grant (GO!)
http://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/higher-education-opportunities-grant-go-grant
Amount: $1000 per year
Requirements
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Complete FAFSA
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Arkansas resident for at least the 12 months prior to application for the grant
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Certify that they are drug-free and must pledge in writing on the application form to refrain from the use of illegal substances.
Deadline: June 1st
Single Parent Scholarship Fund
http://www.spsfnwa.org/types-of-scholarships/
Amount: $500-1750
Requirements
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A single parent (see definition below)
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A legal United States resident OR a resident with DACA Status, and a resident of Carroll, Madison, or Washington County, Arkansas.
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A high school or GED graduate.
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Pursuing a career-oriented course of study (full or part-time) to ensure a better standard of living for your family.
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Living at or near the poverty level (up to 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines)
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An applicant of the Pell Grant (not required for Professional Certification Scholarship applicants)
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Must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Deadlines: Vary
Useful Information: Scholarships are provided for both "Traditional" and "Professional Certification."
Ellen Carpenter HBCU Scholarship
http://www.collegescholarships.org/states/arkansas.htm
Amount: $1,000-$5,000
Requirements
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Arkansas Residency: The applicant must be an Arkansas resident.
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United States Citizenship: The applicant must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien.
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Admission & Enrollment: The applicant must be enrolled in one of the participating institutions of higher education for the 2011- 2012 school year. The participating institutions are Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
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Application & Community Service: The applicant must submit the attached application and a description of their community service by the established deadline date of August 1, 2011.
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Grade Point Average: The applicant must submit official transcript along with application and have at least 2.0 grade point average.
Deadline: June 1st
Anderson Family Scholarship (Northwest Arkansas Community College)
Amount: $3000
Requirements
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Participant in (currently or in the past) the Saving Grace program for a minimum of three (3) months
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Open to full- and part-time students
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Minimum 2.0 GPA to apply; must maintain to remain eligible;
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Incoming freshman must have a min. composite score of 19 on ACT, or COMPASS scores at college level, or 600 GED score
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Preference will be given to applicants with a demonstrated financial need
Deadline: July 1st
ETV-Education Training Voucher
http://www.obu.edu/finaid/files/2011/06/AR-ETV-FactSheet.pdf
Amount: Up to $5000
* Students must enroll before their 21st birthday and may continue to receive support until age 23.
Requirements
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Youth must be in foster care, adopted from foster care after age 16, or aged out of foster care.
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For most states, youth must be aged 18-20; however the age requirement varies by state.
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Youth must have a high school diploma or GED.
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Youth must be accepted into or enrolled in a Title IV, accredited college or vocational/technical training program.
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Your personal assets (bank account, car, home, etc.) are worth less than $10,000.
Deadline: Applications are served on a first come, first serve basis.
The Second Effort Scholarship
(GED Graduates)
http://scholarships.adhe.edu/scholarships/detail/second-effort-scholarship
Amount: $1000
Requirements
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Scholars who achieved the ten highest scores on the Arkansas High School Diploma test during the previous calendar year.
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The scholarship is renewable annually, for up to three additional years (or the equivalent if a student is enrolled part-time), or the completion of the baccalaureate degree, provided the recipient maintains a minimum college grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale each academic year.
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be at least 18 years of age, or a former member of a high school class which has graduated; and
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not have graduated from high school.
Deadline: None, recipients will be contacted by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.
Casey Family Scholars Program
http://www.fc2success.org/programs/casey-family-scholars/
Amount: $2,500-$5,000 based on a combination of need and merit
Requirements
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Have been in public or private 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
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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
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Have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States. U.S. citizenship is not required.
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Have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other postsecondary school
Deadline: January 1-March 31 annually
Useful information: Can be renewable for up to 5 years
Foster Care to Success
Amount: $2,500-$5,000 based on a combination of need and merit
Requirements
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Have been in public or private 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
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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
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Have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States.
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U.S. citizenship is not required.
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Have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other postsecondary school
Deadline: January 1-March 31
Useful Information: Renewable up to five years if the student remains compliant with program requirements. This is an undergraduate scholarship only.