Apply for FAFS' NJ Foster Youth Private Scholarships & Independent Living Opportunity Grants
Learn about the eligibility requirements and availability of FAFS' Private Scholarships & Independent Living Opportunity Grants for Foster Adopted & KLG Youth in NJ
FAFS offers privately funded academic scholarships & opportunity grants for foster youth, youth who were in foster care, were adopted or have gone Kinship Legal Guardianship through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency or DCP&P (formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services, or DYFS) in New Jersey. These awards are available to High School Seniors to assist in obtaining a higher education or with moving into the next phase of their lives. The funding for these awards is made possible through the generosity of dedicated benefactors and members.
More Information on Private Scholarships & Opportunity Grants for Foster Adoptive & KLG Youth in NJ
The private scholarships & opportunity grants vary from year to year, depending on donations received. The list below was available in 2013. Applications for 2014 will be available in January 2014. If you are graduating High School in 2014 and would like to be added to the mailing list, please email your name and address to scholarships@fafsonline.org or contact the Scholarship Department at 1.800.222.0047.
Learn More About Private Scholarships & Grants for Foster Youth & Youth Adopted from Foster Care in NJ
Please click on the link to learn more about these scholarships & opportunity grants for foster youth in NJ.
Fran and Jack Borgenicht Opportunity Grant
This grant honors Fran and Jack Borgenicht, both of whom have a long philanthropic history, particularly in supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship families in Morris County and the State of New Jersey. After Jack’s passing, Fran has continued their charitable efforts, serving on several Foundation boards and helping to found the FAFS Foundation in 2008. Fran serves as one of the Foundation’s charter Board of Trustees, as it aids FAFS in its mission to improve the lives of our children.
Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services).
Bernard and Sue Dondiego Opportunity Grant
This grant honors Bernie and Sue Dondiego, both of whom are founding members and past presidents of FAFS. They have been dynamic child advocates for almost a half-century. During this time, they fostered 38 children. They continue to be actively involved by serving on several FAFS committees. Sue and Bernie’s invaluable services continue to aid FAFS in achieving its mission to improve the lives of our children.
Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services).
Hattie Talley Opportunity Grant
Hattie Talley was one of the founding members of Foster and Adoptive Family Services and the first President of FAFS (formerly the New Jersey Foster Parents Association). As an adoptive, biological, and foster parent, Ms. Talley personified the caring, nurturing spirit that enables resource parents to open their hearts and homes to New Jersey’s most vulnerable children.
Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.
Eligibility: The applicant must either be a high school senior graduating, or a person receiving his/her GED equivalent, in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Nachi Franco Memorial Opportunity Grant
Nachi Franco dedicated her life to children in care until her untimely death after an illness in the summer of 2000. Nachi contributed significantly to the success of the DYFS Foster Administrative Unit from its inception, recruiting and training resource families throughout Passaic County. She showed genuine compassion for children and their families and passed this kindness on to the many people she mentored. She had a celebrated faith in diversity, and her dedication and leadership abilities allowed her to touch the hearts of many.
Purpose: To create an opportunity for a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include higher education, additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.
Eligibility: The applicant must either be a high school senior graduating, or a person receiving their GED equivalent, in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Jane Q. Goula Memorial Academic Scholarship
Jane was a kind and compassionate woman who loved her family and friends. She was always ready to lend a helping hand, and she touched the lives of many. Although Jane never attended college, she was a successful business woman who greatly valued education. Jane passed away in 1997 and her family and friends thought it was fitting to honor her with this academic scholarship. We hope that this scholarship enables the young person who receives it to enrich his/her life by continuing his/her education.
Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Have a Heart Academic Scholarship
The Have A Heart Academic Scholarship was established to celebrate the foster or adoptive youth with the strength, courage and dedication to change the world with the power of education.
Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Rosemarie Hill Academic Scholarship
For five years, Rosemarie Hill served her community as a foster mother. During that time, she cared for 30 children, ranging from four-year-olds to teenagers. Rosemarie was a certified daycare provider for 4c’s and cared for children in many difficult circumstances. She helped pregnant teenagers, maintained contact with former children in care, and even won an award from DYFS for her work with a young boy with multiple sclerosis.
Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Paul Hinton Memorial Academic Scholarship
Paul showed love and compassion to everyone he met. After serving in Korea in 1952, Paul became a basketball and baseball official. Paul dedicated his life and service to others by teaching young people not only the skills of basketball and baseball, but the skills necessary to live a purpose-filled life. Paul was always present with a helping hand, reaching out to family, friends, and anyone in need. Paul died February 8, 2001, leaving a legacy of compassion and caring to all lives he touched.
Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, junior college, or vocational/trade school.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship
The Teresa Ziegelhofer Memorial Academic Scholarship was formed when a beloved member of the Ziegelhofer family, Teresa, was taken from them in May 2008, at the age of 30. The Ziegelhofer family had the good fortune of taking in Teresa as a foster child and later adopting her into the family. Teresa did not take the educational opportunities available to her after high school and learned later on in her life the importance of a good education. She came to believe that an education was vital in becoming the best person one could be. At the time of her death, she was pursuing her lifelong dream of achieving an associate’s degree. The family knows that Teresa is smiling in heaven watching another “chosen” individual become the recipient of this fine scholarship, so that he/she can pursue the dream that she could not fulfill.
Purpose: To recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college.
Eligibility: The applicant must be a high school senior graduating in 2013 who is currently in foster care, or who has been in foster care and is currently in an adoptive or KLG home through the the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (formerly the NJ Division of Youth and Family Services).
