Financial Aid & Scholarships

Did you know that there are multiple scholarships, grants, and resources available to former or current foster youth who are interested in a college education? At Gavilan College we can connect you to many of these resources and help you pursue them.

Here are just some of the many scholarship programs available to local Foster Youth:

The Chaffee Grant provides up to $5000 to eligible former foster youth.
Guardian Scholars Program offers full-tuition to a variety of colleges throughout California for students who plan to apply to one of the listed schools, are between the ages of 17-23, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (if transfer student) and qualify for "Independent Student Status".
From Foster Care to College: Scholarships & Support That Can Help
Jack Kent Cook Foundationscholarships are designed to encourage and support outstanding students who work hard and have financial need.
META provides mentorship and scholarships to Hispanic youth. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens of Hispanic origin and be applying, accepted or enrolled at an accredited institution of higher education. They must also have a 3.00 GPA or higher.
NSORO Education Fundprovides non-merit based academic scholarships to youth in foster care and to "aged-out" students. Scholarship awards range between $4,000 and $8,000 per student per degree program on average depending on student financial need. Students must be either graduating high school seniors as well as current undergraduate or trade school students may apply.
The Dorothy and Robert Debolt Scholarship is an academic award granted every August for promising youth adopted from foster care in California who are continuing their education with college, university or vocational school. Recipients must have been accepted to an accredited college, university, or trade school and be no older than 25. The selection of the recipient will be based on several criteria, including: community Service, participation in extracurricular activities, promise of success in the institution selected by the applicant, financial need, and academic achievement.
The John Burton Foundation assists former and current foster youth enrolled in California colleges handle the heavy burden of paying tuition, selecting classes, studying in a very competitive environment and living and eating on an extremely tight budget. They offer three financial support programs:
- Their Backpack to Success Gift Card Program is open to all first year eligible Chafee recipients. They provide gift cards to purchase life necessities and school supplies often not covered by other financial aid programs.
- Their annual Laptop Essay Competition allows students to enter a competition to win a new, fully loaded computer.
- Their Burton Book Fund program offers up to $250 for foster youth enrolled in a CA college or university to pay for their required textbooks needed for their classes.

For a more comprehensive list of scholarships for foster youth but also other student categories, please visit the Gavilan College Financial Aid & Scholarship Services.

All Gavilan students are eligible to apply for Financial Aid. To learn more or begin the application process, click here or visit our Financial Aid office located in the Administration Building.