Need some help?
There are a ton of resources out there, they can just be hard to find sometimes. If you're trying to help your current or former foster-kid get into/through the college process, there are a few steps you should consider.
1. Reach out to your foster-kid's case worker / social worker
The child's social worker / case worker is your direct contact into the 'system'. S/he can point you to the resources available to you as a foster-parent and point you in the right direction in finding resources for your foster-kids.
2. Call up the financial aid office at the school(s) they're applying to
You should be able to find the phone number / website for any financial aid office by doing a search on the internet. Otherwise, call up a guidance counselor at the local high school and ask them for help. They work hard at getting the kids in school prepared for college and they're a great resource for finding information on financial aid resources available.
3. Talk about your situation to your church/synagogue/mosque/etc
You don't need to ask for your congregation to pay for your foster-kid's way through school, but would they be willing to pay for the books necessary for classes each semester? Would they be willing to pay for transportation costs when the kid wants to come 'home' for Thanksgiving or other holidays?
4. Check out the laws on state-schools and tuition waivers for foster-kids
A lot of states don't require students going to state schools to pay for tuition if they are or were a foster-kid. Talk with your social worker about this possibility, it could save thousands!
5. Find support groups that are dealing with the same situation
Check out the links below for organizations that deal specifically with the issues you're facing. Reach out to them and you'll find a wealth of knowledge and experience and most importantly, people who want to help you and the kids that you're looking out for succeed.
National Foster Parent Association -
The National Foster Parent Association is a non-profit, volunteer organization established in 1972 as a result of the concerns of several independent groups that felt the country needed a national organization to meet the needs of foster families in the United States.
Today, NFPA has grown from an original group of 926 foster parents, 210 social workers and 59 other professionals to an organization that represents thousands of foster families nationwide through foster parent affiliates.
Orphan Foundation of America -
Founded in 1981 in a community center basement, the Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) has grown to serve thousands of foster teens across the United States. Whether we're providing young people with scholarships, connecting them with internships, sending them care packages, or testifying before Congress and state legislatures, OFA is a passionate champion of foster youth. They also run this great program called 'Virtual Mentor' where your foster-kid can e-mail back and forth with a mentor who can be a positive adult influence in their life as they transition from being a ward of the state to an independed adult.
Foster Club - National network for youth in foster-care.
"Love makes a family. "
Anon.