Resources

Financial Aid For Foster Youth

If you plan to attend college, getting all the financial aid that you can will make you much more likely to succeed. There are many financial aid resources available to help you to go to college, paying not just for tuition and books, but also for costs of living like rent, food, and transportation. Some of this financial aid is even just for people who have experience in the foster care system! Note that while we’ve made every effort to be accurate and complete in this guide, financial aid programs change. Be sure you get current information.

• Foster Youth Educational Rights  
• Derechos de Educación Para Jóvenes Bajo Cuidado de Crianza Temporal

• Foster Youth Educational Fact Sheets    
• Ley de Educación para Jóvenesde Crianza de California Hojas Informativas 

• Independent Learning Services Program (ILSP): SF ILSP serves young people between the ages of 16 and 21 who have been in foster care or the juvenile justice system as they prepare for adulthood and independence. We offer a variety of group and individualized services to support our young people’s pursuit of their education, employment, and life goals

• California Youth Connection (CYC): CYC is a youth-led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative, policy, and practice change.

• San Francisco State University Guardian Scholars Program: The Guardian Scholars Program is a comprehensive program tailored to fit the needs of undergraduate students who are current or former foster youth.

• City College of San Francisco Guardian Scholars Program: The Guardian Scholars Program is committed to helping current and former foster youth college-bound students complete their educational goals by providing comprehensive support services.

• NextUp: The program offers eligible current and former foster youth enrolled in California Community Colleges support and services that could include help with books and supplies, transportation, tutoring, food, and emergency housing.

• California College Pathways: California College Pathways (CCP) provides resources to help foster youth succeed at community colleges and 4-year universities.

• San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): San Francisco CASA transforms the lives of abused and neglected foster youth by providing one consistent, caring volunteer advocate, trained to address each child’s needs in the court and the community.  

• Special Education
• Section 504
• LGBTQ Student Services