Grants For Foster Kids
Many families struggle in this economy to support their own children. Still some families reach out to offer loving homes to abandoned, abused or neglected children and should be commended for their generosity. In order to qualify as a foster family, the household must demonstrate enough income and assets to support the additional child without requiring assistance from the government.
Grants for Foster Kids' Families
Once a family has been established as qualified and has been assigned a foster child, the government does recognize that additional financial support would be beneficial. Thus a monthly stipend is awarded for the child's care which includes food and shelter, transportation and clothing. The child is also eligible for free medical and dental care, which is a significant benefit.
Foster child support money is provided by a variety of federal, state and local resources. It is tightly monitored to make sure that the funds are spent solely for the benefit of the foster child, and not to enhance the income of the parents or for the benefit of other children in the household.
In this way, the payments alleviate the additional financial burden of the foster child on the household, but not to improve the household's economic status beyond what it would have been without the foster child.
There are other resources for foster parents as well as the government payments. Grants from non-profit organizations and charitable foundations can help with assistance for after-school programs such as tutoring or extracurricular activities.
Grants for Foster Kids
Beyond aid provided by the government to help families support foster kids, many non-profit organizations provide special programs and grants for the kids themselves. For example the Foundation for Foster Children has a number of programs for foster kids under age 18. These include tutoring, funds for non-tutoring school activities, summer camps and even a "celebration club" to recognize events like birthdays and graduations that might otherwise be neglected. This foundation operates in specific counties in Florida, but you may find others very much like it where you live.
Sleep Train is a private corporation that partners with local non-profits and communities to provide things like school supplies, sports shoes and equipment, clothing, pajamas, holiday gifts and other similar items. Often their contributions between a foster child having or not having what they need to live a more "normal" life.
These are just a couple of examples of private support for foster kids. There are many more and probable some in your area. Look for them if you are trying to find support for foster kids or if you would like to donate to or partner with an organization serving this population. Also take a look at the types of grants available for all kids, such as those detailed in Grants for Healthy Kids and Federal Aid for Child Care.
Aid for Foster Kids In Transition
Once a child “ages out” of the foster-care system there are a number of transitional programs to help the new adult become self-sufficient. (When a child ages out of foster-care families no longer receive financial support and the child/adult may be left on their own.
Foundations like the one noted above also gave programs to benefit these transitioning foster kids. They provide general assistance, a one-on-one mentor, tutoring, and a "club" to recognize and celebrate special events. Another example is an organization called "Jeremiah's Promise" which runs excellent programs to help foster kids over 18 overcome self-doubts and lack of self esteem and learn to be successful in college and in life. Again these are just examples and it's worth your effort to find similar organizations in your local area.
Education Grants for Foster Kids
Significant resources exist to help foster children pay for college because the foster-care system is recognized as producing many teens who have little hope of being able to afford college on their own.
One of the better-known programs is the federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students based on financial need and does not need to be repaid. The application for the Pell Grant is included when you fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is something all students should do every year that they attend college. This application is a standardized form no matter which college or university you attend, and makes you eligible for a variety of federal grants and loans as well as some private aid. The FAFSA also qualifies you for federally-subsidized student loans, such as the Stafford Loan.
Students filling out college applications should be sure to inquire about any institutional money that the college itself awards to its students. Former foster children may be eligible for many scholarships that other students are not.
The Education and Training Voucher Program, also known as the Chaffee program, offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for former foster children to attend college or technical school. The Orphan Foundation and the Casey Family program also offer college scholarships that are specifically designated for foster children.
There are many other programs, grants and scholarships that can help out with the expenses of higher education for families and former foster children. Be sure to investigate and apply for every one that you may qualify for. You can filter results at free scholarship sites like fastweb.com by searching for scholarships available specifically for those who have been in the Foster Care system.
Many families struggle in this economy to support their own children. Still some families reach out to offer loving homes to abandoned, abused or neglected children and should be commended for their generosity. In order to qualify as a foster family, the household must demonstrate enough income and assets to support the additional child without requiring assistance from the government.
Grants for Foster Kids' Families
Once a family has been established as qualified and has been assigned a foster child, the government does recognize that additional financial support would be beneficial. Thus a monthly stipend is awarded for the child's care which includes food and shelter, transportation and clothing. The child is also eligible for free medical and dental care, which is a significant benefit.
Foster child support money is provided by a variety of federal, state and local resources. It is tightly monitored to make sure that the funds are spent solely for the benefit of the foster child, and not to enhance the income of the parents or for the benefit of other children in the household.
In this way, the payments alleviate the additional financial burden of the foster child on the household, but not to improve the household's economic status beyond what it would have been without the foster child.
There are other resources for foster parents as well as the government payments. Grants from non-profit organizations and charitable foundations can help with assistance for after-school programs such as tutoring or extracurricular activities.
Grants for Foster Kids
Beyond aid provided by the government to help families support foster kids, many non-profit organizations provide special programs and grants for the kids themselves. For example the Foundation for Foster Children has a number of programs for foster kids under age 18. These include tutoring, funds for non-tutoring school activities, summer camps and even a "celebration club" to recognize events like birthdays and graduations that might otherwise be neglected. This foundation operates in specific counties in Florida, but you may find others very much like it where you live.
Sleep Train is a private corporation that partners with local non-profits and communities to provide things like school supplies, sports shoes and equipment, clothing, pajamas, holiday gifts and other similar items. Often their contributions between a foster child having or not having what they need to live a more "normal" life.
These are just a couple of examples of private support for foster kids. There are many more and probable some in your area. Look for them if you are trying to find support for foster kids or if you would like to donate to or partner with an organization serving this population. Also take a look at the types of grants available for all kids, such as those detailed in Grants for Healthy Kids and Federal Aid for Child Care.
Aid for Foster Kids In Transition
Once a child “ages out” of the foster-care system there are a number of transitional programs to help the new adult become self-sufficient. (When a child ages out of foster-care families no longer receive financial support and the child/adult may be left on their own.
Foundations like the one noted above also gave programs to benefit these transitioning foster kids. They provide general assistance, a one-on-one mentor, tutoring, and a "club" to recognize and celebrate special events. Another example is an organization called "Jeremiah's Promise" which runs excellent programs to help foster kids over 18 overcome self-doubts and lack of self esteem and learn to be successful in college and in life. Again these are just examples and it's worth your effort to find similar organizations in your local area.
Education Grants for Foster Kids
Significant resources exist to help foster children pay for college because the foster-care system is recognized as producing many teens who have little hope of being able to afford college on their own.
One of the better-known programs is the federal Pell Grant, which is awarded to students based on financial need and does not need to be repaid. The application for the Pell Grant is included when you fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is something all students should do every year that they attend college. This application is a standardized form no matter which college or university you attend, and makes you eligible for a variety of federal grants and loans as well as some private aid. The FAFSA also qualifies you for federally-subsidized student loans, such as the Stafford Loan.
Students filling out college applications should be sure to inquire about any institutional money that the college itself awards to its students. Former foster children may be eligible for many scholarships that other students are not.
The Education and Training Voucher Program, also known as the Chaffee program, offers grants of up to $5,000 per year for former foster children to attend college or technical school. The Orphan Foundation and the Casey Family program also offer college scholarships that are specifically designated for foster children.
There are many other programs, grants and scholarships that can help out with the expenses of higher education for families and former foster children. Be sure to investigate and apply for every one that you may qualify for. You can filter results at free scholarship sites like fastweb.com by searching for scholarships available specifically for those who have been in the Foster Care system.