Foster Care Youth Scholarship Program

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant eligibility depends on participation in the foster care system, age, residency, academic standing, financial need, and acceptance into Rhode Island College.

Foster Care Eligibility

You must be within the age range for Foster Care eligibility:

• youth who are currently or were in foster care between the ages of 13-21 for 6 months or more, regardless of whether that time was consecutive or non-consecutive; or
• youth who left foster care at age 13 or older for guardianship or adoption, until they reach 26

Residency, Academic Standing, Financial Need

• must be a resident of Rhode Island and were formerly or are currently in the Rhode Island foster care system
• must have graduated high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma
• must maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by Rhode Island College
• must demonstrate financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or state-alternative Financial Aid Application

First-Year Students Complete the Common Application

If you are applying to RIC and have not attended another college or university, you will complete the Common Application, clicking "Apply for First-Year" to begin. (If you took college courses in high school, you are still considered a first-year student.)

In the RIC Supplemental Section of the Common Application, under the question section, select 'Yes' for the question: "Are you or have you ever been in foster care?" (Foster youth status indicated on the common application will be confirmed by DCYF once the student has been accepted to RIC.)

If you meet the criteria for the Foster Care Youth Scholarship Program the $50 application fee will be waived by entering the fee waiver code Foster25.

After completing your application you will submit your transcripts.

Transfer Students Complete RIC's Transfer Application

If you have previously attended another college or university you are considered a transfer student and will complete RIC's Transfer Application to apply.

Please be sure to select 'Yes' when you get to the application question that asks: "Are you or have you ever been in foster care?" If you answer 'Yes' the $50 application fee will be waived.

After completing your application you will submit your transcripts.

All Applicants Submit Transcripts

Transfer students must submit their official college transcripts from all colleges attended – and if you are a transfer student with under 24 college credits, you will also need to submit your final high school official transcript to RIC.

High school students need to work with their high school to have their official high school transcript sent to RIC. RIC requires at least 18 college preparatory units including:

• 4 units / years of English
• 2 units / year of the same foreign language
• 3 units / years of mathematics (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)
• 2 units / years of history or social science
• 2 units / years of laboratory science
• 5 additional college preparatory units (additional coursework in any of the above subjects, or other college preparatory elective courses offered by your high school)

Please allow two weeks from the time you submit a complete application to receive a decision. If you are admitted to RIC, we will waive the $200 enrollment fee.

Application Review

The application review period will occur annually, with specific deadlines communicated through Rhode Island College and state Foster Care agencies, and with RIC connecting with DCYF to confirm applicant eligibility. All applicants will be assessed by a selection committee, composed of representatives from Rhode Island College, state Foster Care agencies, and community stakeholders. 

Review of Required Materials

The selection committee will need to review your required documentation:

• completed application form
• proof of Foster Care status in Rhode Island
• financial documentation (FAFSA or state-specific forms)
• academic transcripts and letters of recommendation

Review of Documentation Against Criteria

The selection committee will be reviewing your required documentation with this criteria in mind:

• demonstrated academic potential and commitment to education
• financial need and eligibility as per program guidelines
• personal statements or interviews may be included to assess motivation and goals