New Jersey Foster Care Scholars Program
The Department of Children and Families contracts with Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS) to administer the New Jersey Foster Care (NJFC) Scholars Program. Certain applicants attending classes full-time at a New Jersey public college or university may be eligible to receive up to the full cost of their tuition, based on the school's academic standing criteria.
Please see the 2009-2010 NJFC Application below to find out specific eligibility criteria.
For more information about NJFC and other scholarships, contact FAFS at 1-800-222-0047 or visit www.fafsonline.org.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The mission of the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) is to enable individuals with disabilities to achieve employment outcomes consistent with their strengths, priorities, needs, abilities and capabilities.
Some counties have DVRS counselors who serve as liaisons to local school districts to identify high school seniors who are eligible for DVRS services, which include: vocational assessments, learning assessments, job training, job placement, and assistance with tuition, fees and related expenses for post-secondary education.
Adolescents in foster care who are classified (that is, those with an Individualized Education Plan) should be referred to DVRS at least six months prior to their high school graduation date.
Participation in the NJFC Scholars Program neither guarantees nor precludes participation in DVRS services.
For more information, referral, or contact information for local DVRS offices,
visit: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/dvrs/DVRIndex.html
Federal Financial Aid and Foster Youth
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a requirement for the NJ Foster Care Scholars and for most forms of college financial aid. A critical part of filing the form is determining whether a student is “independent.” Youths currently in out-of-home care through DYFS, or who aged out of DYFS care, can answer “yes” to the question that asks, “Are both of your parents deceased or are you (or were you until age 18) a ward/dependent of the court?” As a result, they are considered independent students by FAFSA definition.
Completing this step makes most youth in care eligible for full federal aid, including grants. However, many colleges ask the youth to provide a verification letter from his or her DYFS worker to confirm this.
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