Providing Opportunities and Hope

" Education was one of the few stabilities that I had in my life. My hope would be that a family would fill that role, but for me, it was education.That was the greatest gift. Everything else was taken away from me, but education wasn't. Even though it was a battle and a roller coaster, it was a sense of normalcy for me. It made the difference...For foster youth, who lose their culture, sense of self, and identity, education is their ticket to success. It's one of the few things no one can take away from them."

                                                      -

Lupe Tovar

(From 'The McKinney-Vento Act and Children and Youth Awaiting Foster Care Placement Report)

Who can receive a scholarship from AFFCF?

To qualify, an applicant must be a current or former permanent ward of the State of Arizona and must be enrolled at or accepted into a school, college, course of study, or other educational program. AFFCF’s primary criterion is that the student-applicant had been a ward of the State of Arizona when they turned 18 years of age. Greater consideration is given to those applicants who have aged-out and spent more than two years in the foster care system. Scholarship funds are given out on a first come, first served basis, giving preference to those students applying to renew their current AFFCF scholarships.

Where can the scholarship be used?

A scholarship from the AFFCF can be used to pay educational expenses at any college, university, community college, or vocational/technical school. It can also be used to pay for correspondence courses and other educational programs.

What are the details of the scholarship?

The AFFCF scholarship is good for one semester or one year of an educational program. The scholarship is renewable, and renewal applications are given preference over new applications. AFFCF scholarships are: $1,000 per semester for vocational and community college programs; or $2,500 per semester for university students meeting certain criteria. The number of scholarships given out varies from year to year.

What do I need in order to apply?

If this is your first time applying for a scholarship from the AFFCF, you will need two letters of recommendation: one from a personal reference (e.g., foster family, CASA, CPS case manager, Guardian ad Litem, attorney) and one from an academic reference (e.g., teacher, principal, counselor). You will need to have already filled out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) -- you can get it at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov or at your school's counseling center or financial aid office. You must include a copy of your FAFSA application or summary report with your AFFCF application. You also need some information about the program, school, college, or course of study which you will be funding with the scholarship, a copy of your acceptance letter into this school/program, and, if you are already enrolled, a copy of your most recent transcript.

If you have already received a scholarship from the AFFCF and wish to renew it, be sure to include with your application any updated FAFSA report, verification of your current registration in the school/program, and a copy of your most recent transcript (unofficial transcript O.K.).

Both new and renewal applicants must fill out the AFFCF Scholarship Application. Contact the AFFCF or download it here: Application (PDF)