According to recent estimates, American parents adopt over 100,000 children every year. This also means that, at any given time, there are hundreds of thousands of adopted students attending four-year colleges. America, ideally, is the land of opportunity. We pride ourselves on giving the same opportunities to children of adoption that are given to non-adopted students. In order to spread this idea of equality, many scholarships are awarded to college-aged children of adoption. Here are a few scholarships for adopted students.
Also-Known-As Adoptee Excellence Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: April 30, 2020
The Also-Known-As Adoptee Excellence Scholarship honors adoptee students and their accomplishments. Open to high school seniors or an undergraduate student, those adopted outside and brought to the United States may apply. Interested students should show leadership qualities, drive, integrity, and citizenship. The organization wants to hear about your experiences and how your adoption has formed your life and impacted your future goals. All about giving back to the community, international adoptees should check out this scholarship.
Casey Family Scholars Program
Amount: Varying
Deadline: March 31
Many foster families provide wonderful and loving environments for less fortunate children to step into. Foster families allow them to grow up in nurturing climates they may not have otherwise had. The selflessness of foster families, as well as the touching stories of the children they bring into their homes, are examples of the best of humanity. It’s what the rest of us should strive to be. Programs like Foster Care to Success, with the slogan “America’s College Fund for Foster Youth,” offer a helping hand to both foster children and their families through their charitable efforts.
One of the highest-rated family charities by the online watchdog CharityNavigator, the organization offers the Casey Family Scholars Program to young people who have experienced social service programs. The Casey Program has extensive requirements; applicants must “Have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including their 18th birthday; OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after their 16th birthday; OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of their 18th birthday and not subsequently adopted”. The Casey Program awards up to $5,000 each year based on various criteria. Financial need finishes foremost in the competition.
FRUA Scholarships
Amount: Varying
Deadline: March 15, 2020
Time to break the fourth wall: as someone with two beloved cousins adopted from Russia, the work of the Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoption community is very important to me. Families adopted over 56,000 children from these two countries from 1999 to 2016, including my cousins Andrew and Harrison. Russia and Ukraine have been two of the most popular nations for US adoption, following the leading country of China. The FRUA aims to improve the quality of life for both the children of Russian and Ukrainian orphanages. It also assists these kids to reach their families. While focused mainly on Russia and Ukraine, the foundation also supports adoption from myriad other Eastern European countries, a full list of which can be found on their website.
Through donations, FRUA funds a $1,250 scholarship for graduating adopted seniors, as well as one of $750 for graduate students. To be eligible for either prize, applicants must be members of FRUA who demonstrate their commitment to academics and also their communities.
Want to find more scholarships for adopted students? Look online and through scholarship databases. Otherwise, talk to your high school counselor or your college’s financial aid office. There are plenty of scholarships for adopted students out there!
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| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
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5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
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5.00% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
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6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
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3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
|
|
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
