September 1, 2008

Getting Foster Youth to and through College: Successes and Challenges of the New Jersey Foster Care Scholars Program

This brief explains the challenges faced by foster youth aging out of care, the development of the program, key components of a comprehensive scholarship program for foster youth, and the structure of the New Jersey program. Data is provided on how participants fare financially, academically, and emotionally. The development of Project Myself is then explained as a way to offer mentoring supports to the former foster youth receiving scholarships in exchange for community work. Finally, coming changes to the program are outlined and a description of scholarship programs in other States is provided.