Illinois DCFS announces scholarship program for foster care students

NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) announced recently that they opened scholarship applications for students in foster care.

On average, the department reported it receives over 200 applications each year from all across the state. It also stated that there are four scholarship awards that are reserved for children of veterans.

The awards will last for up to five school years, and it can be used at Illinois community colleges and state universities alike that are participating in the program.

Students who are in the DCFS program with an open case, either being adopted or currently under a guardianship may apply with the age range being 16-20 years of age. Those who aged out of the system when they turned 18 can apply as well.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker highlighted how this program can propel children into higher education.

“The DCFS Scholarship Program gives current and former youth in care the opportunity to plan for their future without incurring crippling debt or working long hours that distract from their schooling,” stated Pritzker. “It’s a necessary step towards building equity for all our Illinois students regardless of their family background.”