Scholarships

Take a look at our scholarships below and apply when you’re ready!

Education Funding Eligibiligy

School-Specific Scholarships

Once you are admitted to a school, you will be able to apply to scholarships through your school’s scholarship application portal (reach out if you want help with this). Below is a list of scholarships for foster care alumni by school. Please let us know if you know of one that is not listed!

Salt Lake Community College

DME Scholarship

Tuition Waiver

Apply via SLCC

University of Utah

Karsten Scholarship

Alex & Elizabeth Smith Scholarship

Tamara Hamilton Scholarship

Apply via UU

Weber State

Ogden Foster Scholarship Program (OFSP)

contact Raquel Andreasen

National Scholarships

Family Fellowship Scholarship Program

$60,000 scholarship for up to 5 years of undergraduate studies- budgeted for $12,000 per year

See More details

SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship

A SchoolHouse Connection Scholar Will Receive $2,500 Scholarship Award, One-on-one support from SchoolHouse Connection Staff, Support from SchoolHouse Connection Scholars & Opportunities to Engage in State and Federal Policy Advocacy

See More details

NSORO Foundation Scholarship

NSORO Foundation
All youth currently in foster care, aged-out, and emancipated youth are encouraged to apply.

See More details

Family Fellowship Scholarship Program

Basic Information

Responsible Agency: Foster Love

Amount: $60,000 total (budgeted at $12,000 per year for up to 5 years). Includes a monthly living allowance for basic needs.

Timeline: Opens historically in March and closes in early May.

Eligible Uses: Tuition assistance, housing, academic supplies, relocation, professional development, mentoring, wellness, study abroad, and other college-related expenses (flexible based on where it’s needed most).

Fund Disbursement: Disbursed directly to outstanding balances at the beginning of the fall semester (not given as a lump sum).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Age 18-24.
  • U.S. citizen.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Accepted full-time into an accredited public or nonprofit university pursuing a Bachelor’s degree.
  • Foster Care Experience (Must meet at least one):
    • Lived in foster care for ≥ 12 consecutive months up to/including 18th birthday.
    • Adopted/placed in legal guardianship from foster care after age 13.
    • Orphaned for at least one year at the time of 18th birthday.

Website: Foster Love Family Fellowship

SchoolHouse Connection Scholarship

Basic Information

Responsible Agency: School House Connection Scholarship

Amount: $2,500 scholarship award, a monthly stipend up to $100 throughout college, three all-expenses-paid trips, and one-on-one staff/peer mentoring.

Timeline: Opens in January and closes in June. Applicants are notified in the first week of August.

Eligible Uses: Flexible funds for anything education-related.

Fund Disbursement: To be announced.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must reside in the U.S. (Undocumented applicants are eligible).
  • Born on or after June 2, 2007.
  • Experienced homelessness within the last 6 years.
  • Starting college for the first time in the 2027-2028 academic year (4-year, community college, or trade school). Includes high school juniors, seniors taking a gap year, or GED earners.

Website: SchoolHouse Connection

NSORO Foundation Scholarship

Basic Information

Responsible Agency: NSORO Foundation

Amount: Direct academic scholarships combined with executive-level coaching, mentorship, and workforce readiness programs.

Timeline: Opens in December and closes in March. Applicants are notified in May.

Eligible Uses: Flexible funds for anything education-related.

Fund Disbursement: To be announced.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Age 16-25 (must be under 26 at the time of application).
  • U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
  • High school graduate or equivalent with a cumulative GPA of ≥ 2.0.
  • Accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or post-secondary school.
  • Certified as currently in foster care, a ward of the state, or eligible for the Independent Living Program (ILP) having aged out.

Website: NSORO Foundation Submittable

Statewide Scholarships

Olene Walker Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Scholarship

See More details

Next Chapter Scholarship

See More details

Adrienne Boudreaux Scholarship

See More details

Olene Walker Transition to Adult Living (TAL) Scholarship

Basic Information

Scope: Utah

Responsible Agency: Private donors in partnership with my529 and the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).

Amount: Maximum annual awards based on enrollment:

  • Full-time (12+ credits): $5,500/year
  • Three-quarters time (9-11 credits): $4,120/year
  • Part-time (6-8 credits): $2,750/year

Timeline: Academic year deadline is April 15. Spring-semester-only deadline is October 15. (Must re-apply annually).

Eligible Uses: Tuition, mandatory fees, and course-related expenses (books, supplies, equipment).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Utah resident and U.S. citizen/legal resident.
  • Under age 26 at the time of initial application.
  • Admitted to a USHE institution (degree or certificate program).
  • Complete the FAFSA and qualify for a Pell Grant.
  • Provide verification from DCFS or the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program confirming TAL Foster Care or Refugee eligibility.

Website: https://my529.org/tal/

Next Chapter Scholarship

Basic Information

Scope: Regional (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, or Utah)

Responsible Agency: The Call to Action (CTA)

Amount: Up to $25,000 annually.

Calculation Formula: Cost of Attendance (COA) − Student Aid Index (SAI) − Other Aid = Award Amount

Timeline: Opens March 1 and closes April 17.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Maintain a 3.0+ college GPA.
  • Be a part-time or full-time student pursuing an approved major with the goal of earning a bachelor’s (within 8 semesters) or associate degree (within 4 semesters).
  • File a FAFSA annually demonstrating financial need.
  • Must meet at least one applicant profile:
    • Age 25+
    • Returning to school after a 3+ year break
    • Single parent with dependents
    • Military-affiliated
    • Former foster youth

Website: The Call to Action: Next Chapter Scholarship

Adrienne Boudreaux Scholarship

Basic Information

Scope: Utah

Amount: Up to $5,000 per semester.

Timeline: Established in 2026 (Contact USHE/DCFS coordinators for specific application windows).

Eligible Uses: Tuition, fees, and books based upon financial need.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Age 18-25 and a Utah resident.
  • High school diploma or GED (No minimum GPA required).
  • Enrolled at least half-time (minimum of 2 classes) at a USHE institution.
  • Under court-ordered custody/guardianship of the State of Utah for ≥ 1 year after the age of 13. Eligible placements include:
    • DCFS/CCS family foster homes
    • Group homes
    • Mental health/behavioral residential programs
    • The Utah State Hospital
    • Juvenile correctional facilities
    • DSPD residential programs

Selection Preferences: Special priority given to youth aging out of care, ethnic minority backgrounds, special needs adoptions via DCFS, and sibling groups. Requires a personal statement and two letters of reference.

Website: Adrienne Boudreaux Scholarship Application

Join Us

1999 collective is built on the principle of shared power. Whether you’re an alumni or an ally, together, we’re rewriting the story of what’s possible for Utah’s foster care community. Join us.

Connect with Us Get Support