Thinking About College?
Choosing your education and career path can be overwhelming. There is so much information to consider and you may not know where to start. Knowing what options are out there can help you make the decision that is right for you. These sites offer resources that can guide you in the right direction.
• College Board inspiring minds
• The Indiana Youth Institute Drive of Your Life
CollegeView provides a helpful search engine to locate schools in the state of your choice.
Preparation for college can help you get started off on the right foot. Depending upon what type of school you are interested in attending, you must take either the SAT, ACT, or GRE before applying. Free test preparation is available at Number2.com.
The Cost of College is one of many things to consider when planning your education. Visit Savingforcollege.com to help you estimate and plan for the cost of college.
Scholarships are available for current and former foster children who plan to attend college. The target population, available funds and participating schools vary with each scholarship. Review the following sites to determine if you qualify.
- Casey Family Scholars
- Hildegard Lash Merit Scholarship
- Twenty-first Century Scholars Program
Other Scholarships are available for a variety of populations and do not specifically require the applicant to be a current or former foster child. This scholarship search engine from FastWeb can help locate further scholarship information.
Grants are also available for eligible students. Grants are a source of funding for postsecondary education that do not have to be paid back. Check out the U.S. Department of Education Federal Student Aid site to determine which grants you may be eligible for.
The CHAFEE Indiana Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV) offers funds to foster youth and former foster youth to enable them to attend colleges, universities and vocational training institutions. Students may receive up to $5000 a year for four years as they pursue higher education. The funds may be used for tuition, books or qualified living expenses. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to students out of the Indiana foster care system.
Financial Aid is also available to qualifying applicants who need assistance paying for higher education. Review these resources to help you get started.
• FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
