The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services are currently accepting applications for the 2022 DCFS Scholarship Program. This program is providing a minimum of 53 academic scholarships that will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans. DCFS Spokesperson Deborah Lopez says that this is for youth that are in care or used to be in care.
Scholarship recipients numerous benefits including academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and public universities, a monthly grant of $1,273 to offset other expenses and a medical card. On average the department receives 200 application packets each year and has awarded over 1,500 scholarships since the program began in 1971.
Scholarship recipients may receive up to 5 years of tuition.
The DCFS Scholarship program is available to youth who have an open DCFS case, whose cases were closed through adoption or guardianship or who aged out of care at 18 or older. Youth who are at least 16 and not 21 on March 31st may apply.
