Vol. 8, No. 2• May 2004

Program Offers College Scholarships to North Carolina Foster Youth

College has a lot to offer adolescents aging out of foster care. Specifically, it can:

  • Help them make the transition from family life to independence

  • Enhance their earning potential, and

  • Give them a chance to learn skills and experiences that will make their lives as adults richer and more rewarding (McClain, 2004).

Given these benefits, foster parents and social workers are doing everything they can to encourage foster teens to prepare for and attend higher education.

The cost of college, however, can be shocking. According to National Public Radio (2004), for the past 25 years, university tuition costs have risen faster than family incomes. In 2003, the average tuition for a four-year public college jumped 14%. Clearly, when it comes to paying for college, most foster families need all the help they can get.

Luckily, we now have the North Carolina Education and Training Voucher (NC ETV) Program. This program, which offers funds to foster youth and former foster youth to enable them to attend colleges, universities, and vocational training institutions, is now accepting applications for funding for the 2003-2004 school year. Program details include:

  • Students may receive up to $5,000 a year for college or job training.

  • The funds may be used for tuition, books, or qualified living expenses. 

  • The funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to students out of the North Carolina foster care system.

Eligibility Requirements

  1. If the young person is eligible for the NC LINKS program they are eligible for the ETV Program – they must have been in foster care as a teenager and must be a citizen or qualified noncitizen. They may not have personal assets of more than $10,000.

  2. They aged out of the foster care system at age 18 or were adopted from foster care with adoption finalization after their 16th birthday.

  3. They must be 18, 19, or 20 years of age to enter the ETV program.

  4. They have been accepted into or are en-rolled in a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college, university, technical or vocational school and show progress towards that degree or certificate.

To apply, go to <www.statevoucher.org>, click on North Carolina on the map, and follow the link to the application.

If you have questions, send e-mail to [email protected] or call 800/950-4673 and ask to speak to the NC ETV Program Coordinator.

Sources
McClain, L. (2004). Preparing foster teens for college. Fostering Families Today (Jan./Feb. 2004), 48–48.

National Public Radio. (2004). College tuition hikes outpacing incomes. Morning Edition, March 25. www.npr.org

Copyright � 2004 Jordan Institute for Families