Casey Family Programs Pathways For Foster Youth
Before you spend hours on this
Will this scholarship actually lower your cost?
Not always. Many colleges reduce your financial-aid package when you win an outside scholarship — sometimes dollar-for-dollar — so the money can end up saving the school instead of you. It's called scholarship displacement. Two free tools tell you where you actually stand:
General guidance, not financial advice — your school's financial aid office is the only authority on how they treat outside awards. Always confirm with them before deciding.
Best fit for
Any current or former foster youth (any age, any current academic level). The ETV programs in each state can add up to $5,000/yr more on top of Casey + Pell — make sure you've applied for your state's ETV through your social worker or state foster care office.
What they actually look for
Casey Family Programs Pathways is the LARGEST and most-recognized foster-youth-specific scholarship in the US. Awards $1,000 to $10,000 + ongoing mentorship + tuition vouchers + emergency funds for current foster/former foster youth. About 100-200 awards per year. Casey is also a starting point for other foster-youth-specific aid — many states have ETV (Education and Training Voucher) programs that stack on top of Casey + Pell + state aid.
What you'll need
- Current or former foster youth (must have spent time in foster care in the US)
- Plan to attend an accredited US college, university, or vocational program
- FAFSA filed (foster youth are typically Independent Student status — your foster status reduces required financial contribution to $0)
- Essays on foster care experience, resilience, goals, and how the award would help
- Two recommendations (one ideally from a social worker, ILP coordinator, or court-appointed advocate)
- Verification of foster care history (from your social worker or state foster care office)
When to start
Pathways application opens January, closes April-May. Awards announced summer. ETV programs in each state have their own deadlines — contact your state's foster care education coordinator in October of senior year.
Watch out for
Foster youth qualify as INDEPENDENT STUDENTS on FAFSA — meaning your parents' (biological or otherwise) financial information is NOT required, and your expected contribution is typically $0 (which makes you Pell-eligible at maximum). Many foster youth don't know this and submit FAFSA with foster-parent or biological-parent income, which dramatically lowers their federal aid. Talk to your social worker before filing.