There are 13,537 children in foster care in Arizona (as of November 2021), with 25 children entering the foster care system every single day. Additionally, in just five short months (July 2021 – Nov. 2021), 251 young men and women aged out of the Arizona foster care system. For many of these young adults, the focus is on immediate needs and survival, such as housing and food, instead of building a future and setting themselves up for success.1
To combat this major life hurdle and help young adults achieve their academic goals, Grand Canyon University (GCU) has partnered with the State of Arizona’s Department of Child Safety to create a college program. This scholarship pathway for foster youth covers 100% of the costs for tuition, fees, room and board and meal plans for qualified Arizona students experiencing foster care.
“We strive to ensure that private, Christian education is within reach for all — and students who have aged out of the state’s foster care system should be no exception.”
– Brian Mueller, Grand Canyon University President
When young adults age out of the foster care system, attending college may feel like an unachievable dream due to limited resources, instability and a lack of support. These are just a few of the challenges foster children face when trying to pursue secondary education. Grand Canyon University’s Fostering Futures Scholarship Program addresses the uphill climb that foster care youth face when aging out of the foster care system. GCU is helping students establish a fresh start to their future, allowing foster youth the ability to make their dreams a reality.
“What happens is, they step into a middle-class career and bring their families along with them. Those who have faced difficult times in their lives — those are the ones we should be focusing on. They can forever change the trajectory of their family.”
– Brian Mueller, Grand Canyon University President