Scholarships for Youth Who Have Experienced Foster Care

In coordination with the Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families (DSCYF), the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is responsible for administering two educational scholarship opportunities for young adults who have experienced foster care in Delaware.

Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program

The Chafee Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) Program is a federally-funded, state-administered program which provides eligible youth up to $5,000 a year to cover the costs associated with post-secondary education or training programs. ETV funds can be used for direct costs, such as tuition, books, meal plans and campus housing, and indirect costs, such as transportation, utilities, childcare, or off-campus housing.

Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Ivyane D.F. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund (Scholarship Fund) is a state-funded program established in 1989 in honor of a woman who advocated for vulnerable children in Delaware through her work as a foster parent and Court Appointed Special Advocate. The Scholarship Fund is limited to covering the direct costs associated with post-secondary education or training programs.

Eligibility Requirements

1. You must be a current or former Delaware youth, who is or has experienced foster care in Delaware.
2. You must have a high school diploma or GED.
3. You must be accepted or attending an institution of higher learning or trade school, AND if already attending, you must be making satisfactory academic or vocational progress toward completion of that program.
4. You must be a Delaware resident.
5. You must be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
6. You must annually complete the federal Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) .
7. You must complete an online application (click application link below) and participate in an interview with the Office of the Child Advocate.

Renewal Requirements

1. You must be attending an institution of higher learning or trade school AND making satisfactory academic or vocational progress toward completion of that program. Satisfactory academic progress is defined as a 2.0 GPA or greater.
2. You must have participated in the program for less than five years, whether or not consecutively.
3. You must annually complete the federal Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) .
4. You must resubmit your financial information and complete an interview with the Office of the Child Advocate.

Application Process

• Scholarships are accepted on a rolling basis and awards are made August through June through the online portal.
• Applicants must have a current email address.
• If you have an independent living worker, please contact your worker for assistance with the application process.
• If you do not have an assigned independent living worker, please contact OCA.Scholarships@Delaware.gov for assistance with the application process and with completion of the federal Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) forms.
• Please note that only one application must be completed for these two scholarship programs.
  • New and returning applicants: Applicants must complete an intake form and submit your financial information. You will need your financial aid award letter in order to complete the application. If you haven’t received the financial aid award letter at the time of completion, you will be required to submit it before a scholarship is awarded.
• Once your application has been received, OCA staff will be in contact with you about your eligibility.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Please see other Scholarships opportunities for students in the state of Delaware.