Helen M. McLoraine Foster Care and Emancipated Youth Scholarship (UA)

This scholarship provides scholarships for youth who were in the foster care system for at least 12 months between the ages of 0-18 years of age and are pursuing post-secondary education.

Eligibility

• Applicant must have been in the Colorado foster care system for a minimum of 12 months between the ages of 0 and 18 years (months do not need to have been consecutive, although the 12 months need to be completed before the scholarship deadline)
  • Applicants who meet this requirement AND are emancipated, were adopted at age 15 or older, or are participating in the Guardianship Assistance Program, Independent Living Arrangement, or similar programs are eligible to apply
• Applicant must be 30 or younger as of September 1 in the year they apply.
• Demonstrates financial need
• Planning to attend an accredited post-secondary institution in the U.S. in the upcoming academic year

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Academic performance
• Scholastic potential
• Financial Need

Award details

• Scholarship Range: $1,000 – $10,000
• Typical Number of Awards: Varies
• This scholarship is a one-time award. However, past recipients and applicants are encouraged to reapply each year in a competitive process. An individual may only receive an award from this fund up to a total of four times (while pursuing an undergraduate degree)
• Award amounts may be used toward the recipient’s tuition, fees, and required books and supplies
• All scholarships will be paid directly to a recipient’s post-secondary institution. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s post-secondary institution
• Award must be used for the upcoming academic year

How to apply 

1. Read through the eligibility criteria above to confirm you meet the requirements for this scholarship opportunity 
2. Log into the TDF Scholarship Manager and apply for Helen M. McLoraine Foster Care and Emancipated Youth Application 2026
3. Prepare and submit the following items: 
   1. List of all extracurricular activities, community volunteering opportunities, and paid/unpaid work experiences you have had
   2. Transcript  
   3. Confirmation of Foster Care Dependency Form
   4. Email address for one recommendation(s)
      1. One community recommendation
   5. Response to the following prompt(s):
      1.  What would you like to study after high school OR are currently studying at a college-level? What inspired your interest in this area? What do you hope to achieve with a degree in this field? Be sure to address each prompt in your response. (5,000 characters or approximately 800 words)
      2. Describe a time when you had to advocate for yourself. What was the outcome? Please share one or two things you learned from the experience.  (5,000 characters or approximately 800 words)