Educational Resources

Students pursuing post-high school education programming who are facing financial hardship or are at risk for homelessness qualify to apply for the EEQUAL scholarship. Details on qualifications and application can be found here.

Program designed to help youth age 18-24 get their GED, job readiness courses, and certificates for various careers. More information can be found here.

Bluprint is  a hybrid advising program that supports students through text-based, on-demand advising and virtual meetings. Available to college students who are from Dayton, Cincinnati, or Columbus, and are attending university anywhere in the US. Sign up here. 

The Four-Year Jack Donahue scholarship is to be used toward completion of a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university. The award is $4,000.00 each year on a renewable basis, details below. Contact Chuck Cochran at 614-275-2598 or cjcochra@fccs.us for application.

The Alvin R. Hadley scholarship is a four-year renewable scholarship, best suited for a youth working towards a four-year degree. The award is $4,000.00 each year on a renewable basis, details below. Contact Chuck Cochran at 614-275-2598 or cjcochra@fccs.us for application.

Awards dependent on need and available for undergrads up to 6 years and graduate students up to 4 years. Application is open for undergrads March 1- May 1 and August 1- October 1 annually and February 1- April 1 annually for graduate students. Must have received services from Casey Family Services. Application found here.

The Ohio Department of Higher Education provided 19 schools with funds to provide foster students $2,000 each to put toward  tuition and fees while pursuing a short term certificate. See if your school is on the list here.

Up to $5,000 a year for qualified school expenses. Eligibility and applications can be found here.

Youth should fill out FAFSA as an independent student if the student is:

1) an orphan, in foster care, or ward of the court when the student was 13 or older. 

2) Student is an emancipated minor or legal guardianship was determined by the court in their state of legal residence

3) student is a verified unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and self-supporting

Find the application here.

Group of scholarships totaling from $2,500-$5,000 each year for up to 5 years. Applications open from January 1st- March 31st annually at  https://www.fc2success.org/our-programs/information-for-students/ 

Certain higher ed institutions received a grant to support students with high need. This is distributed by looking at FAFSA information. To find out if your school has the program and more details on eligibility, please click here.

Free academic skills instruction (in person and online) to help prepare for your High School Equivalence test or certification testing, learn English as a second language, improve employability, and much more! Learn more here.

Housing and Crisis assistance for youth targeting 16-24 year old can be found here.

As a renter, you have rights and responsibilities. Find information on what those rights are here.

Housing vouchers for former foster youth ages 24 and under. Contact your local county housing authority for vouchers. Learn more.

Affordable housing designed specifically for foster youth who are parents as well as students enrolled in a State of Ohio accredited institution of higher learning. Information can be found here.

Designed to serve those ages 18-24 with foster care history. Residents are expected to maintain full-time status at an accredited two or four-year college or university. Application can be found here.

A program designed to help youth who are at risk or currently experiencing homeless in the greater Cleveland area. More information can be found here.

Youth shelter for those ages 18-24 that provides food, basic needs and supplies, and basic medical and first aid care in Cincinnati.  Learn more.

Youth emergency shelter located in Dayton that includes crisis hotlines, transitional housing, life-skills education, and other follow-up services.  Learn more.

Drop-in center for youth ages 14-24 who are experiencing homelessness. Provides connections to basic needs and stabilizing resources as well as onsite education, healthcare, and access to transitional jobs. Learn more.

Shelter and connection to housing, clothing, food, education, employment, counseling, transportation, and healthcare for those 10-18 years old. Learn more.

Ohio Medicaid provides coverage to youth age 18-26 who were in foster care at age 18, received IV-E funding or independent living services, and meet basic Medicaid eligibility requirements. Talk to your PCSA worker or call (800) 324-8680 for more info. Apply online here.

Free access to real world software developer tools and courses for students to help develop computer program skills to improve job readiness. See what all is included and download the pack here.

A comprehensive guide put together by A Place 4 Me covering a variety of topics ranging from housing, utilities, health, employment, etc. Guide can be accessed here.

Find information on your legal rights as a foster youth, and resources on legal assistance. Click here. 

Bridges helps those ages 18-20 make the transition from foster care into adulthood as easy as possible with housing, health, and skill support services. Learn more here.

CTAP offers evidence-based, trauma-specific services to children and adult victims, survivors, and co-survivors of crime and trauma. In doing so, they create and utilize safe spaces and trauma-informed care practices that help victims take steps toward healing. Check out their website here.

OhioMHAS prepared this list of resources for young adults and campus personnel as they adjust to changing life stressors.  

For emotional support, the second page includes the Ohio CareLine (1.800.720.9616), Crisis Text Line (text “4HOPE” to 741741) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255)

Free and confidential line that is open 24 hours a day to help connect you to resources in your community. These resources can cover almost any need you can think of. More information can be found here.

Site to manage or apply for healthcare, child care, food and cash benefits through the Ohio Department of Health. Learn more here.

Online job training, job postings, career counselling, and information on what schools can help you find your dream job. Learn more here.

Online job training, job postings, career counselling, and information on what schools can help you find your dream job. Learn more here.

The Ohio Youth Advisory Board has organized additional resources for former foster youth by county. You can find information here.