Foster Care Alumni

Contemporary Student Services

Check out the Contemporary Student Lounge in HUB 1012 to meet other Contemporary Students! Here you will have access to coffee, snacks, tea, a fridge, and a microwave. The lounge is where you can find Contemporary Student Mentors, Lounge Assisants, and Contemporary Student Ambassadors who are a peer resource that you can utilize throughout your time as a student.

Do you have questions about campus? Meet with a peer mentor to learn more about living off-campus. They are here to share tips and tricks with you.

CLICK HERE TO SET UP A MENTORING APPOINTMENT

Apply for the Contemporary Student Advisory Board! The Student Advisory Board is an opportunity for you to create a Mason that is engaging for all students. It’s a place to share your experiences, meet other students like you, and make a positive impact on your peers and campus. All Contemporary Students are welcome! Applications are ongoing. Contact csimpso@gmu.edu or afergu5@gmu.edu for more information.

Virginia State Resources

  • The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program assists eligible foster care and adopted teens or young adults with post-secondary education and training expenses. It is designed to help teens or young adults aging out of foster care with the education, training and services needed for employment.Program funds can be applied toward, but not limited to, colleges, universities, community colleges, vocational programs, and one-year training institutions.   
  • Expenses Covered   
  • Tuition and fees   
  • Room and board   
  • Rental or purchase of required equipment, materials or supplies (including a computer)   
  • Allowance for books, supplies and transportation   
  • Required residential training   
  • Special study projects   
  • Child-care   
  • Other related expenses   
  • Application Eligibility   
  • Eligible students must be between 14 – 25 years of age, hold a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate, enrolled or planning to enroll in a post-secondary education or vocational training program, and meet one of the following requirements:   
  • Currently in foster care or Fostering Futures   
  • Have aged out of foster care or left Fostering Futures after turning 18   
  • Have left foster care through adoption or the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program after turning 16.  
  • Applicants must maintain a 2.0 grade point average or make satisfactory progress, and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), if applicable. Students can access ETV funds for a maximum of five years until their 26th birthday, and must apply annually to remain eligible.   
  • Completed applications should be submitted to the local department of social services where the student is, or most recently was, in foster care or Fostering Futures. 
  • Fostering Futures is a foster care program available to teens and young adults in foster care after they turn 18. This voluntary program allows your local department of social services (LDSS) to provide you with financial and social support and services until you are 21 years old. It can cover things like housing (with your foster parents, room and board at school, or supervised independent living when you are ready), education and/or job training assistance, and other independent living needs specifically for you.  
  • HOW DO I KNOW IF I AM ELIGIBLE?   
    • If, on or after July 1, 2016, you turned 18 in foster care; or, you turned 18 while in a DJJ facility but had been in foster care when you entered; you may be eligible.   
  • WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME?   
    • Your commitment to go to school, vocational training, or work   
    • Your willingness to continue to work with your foster care worker   
    • Your participation in the development of a transition plan and efforts to achieve your goals   
    • Completion of the Voluntary Continuing Services and Support Agreement (VCSSA)   
    • Your attendance at court hearing(s), administrative review(s), and case planning meetings  
  • HOW DO I APPLY?    
    • You may apply for Fostering Futures anytime between 18 and 21 years of age.   
    • Before 18: Talk with your foster care worker and begin making plans   
    • Between 18-21: If you have left foster care, contact your LDSS and speak with your former foster care worker or another agency representative about Fostering Future   

National University Resources

The R4T Fund primarily provides a final safety net for individual, current foster alumni college students who are at risk for dropout due to financial challenges. It is intended to be secondary to existing campus-based assistance and campus-based Foundation crisis/emergency funds. It is a grant to the student and repayment is not required; however, students with temporary needs for whom additional funding becomes available are strongly encouraged to later donate R4T funds back to the RisforThursday Fund so that they can be used by other students during their times of financial need.    

FCAA is a national advocacy group with regional chapters.    

This toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help foster youth access and navigate social, emotional, educational and skills barriers as they transition into adulthood, continue to postsecondary education and set out on a career with personal fulfillment. The toolkit is written for foster youth and is also meant to be a resource for caseworkers, care givers, teachers and mentors.