Foster Grants

Foster grants and scholarships have been made available in recent years to help foster parents, foster children, and those formerly in foster care. These include grants to groups and organizations, and scholarships at the state and national levels for foster teens and those formerly in foster care to help with college and training expenses.

The best contact point for groups and families is the state agency that oversees foster care. Contact your agency to ask about these opportunities.

Massachusetts: A Sample Scholarship and Grant Program

The Foster Child Tuition Waiver Program - The Foster Child Tuition Waiver Program provides free tuition to foster children at any one of Massachusetts' 29 state and community colleges and universities. Approved by the Board of Higher Education in June of 2000, this initiative provides state college undergraduate or certificate tuition waivers for current foster children between the ages of 17 and 24, who have not returned home, have been in in foster care for at least one year as a result of a Care and Protection petition, and contribute to their educational expenses through a work-study program. To learn more about the Foster Child Tuition Waiver Program or to apply, please contact the Department of Social Services at (617) 748-2231.

Foster Child Grant Program - The Foster Child Grant Program provides financial aid grants to current and former foster children who are attending college. Enacted into law in January 2001, this initiative provides financial assistance to those who age out of the system at age 18 without being adopted or reunited with their family. In order to be eligible, a foster child must be in the custody of the Commonwealth as a result of a Care and Protection petition, at age 18 or at the time of college admission up to age 24, all other sources of financial aid must have been exhausted, and the student must sign a voluntary agreement with the Department of Social Services establishing the terms for receiving aid. For further information regarding the Foster Child Grant Program or to apply, please contact the Department of Social Services at (617) 748-2430.