ARIZONA NEWS

GCU gives Arizona foster care students opportunity to go to college debt free

Feb 25, 2022, 4:55 AM | Updated: 12:12 pm

(GCU Photo)...

(GCU Photo)

(GCU Photo)

PHOENIX — Children aging out of the Arizona foster care system now have the opportunity to get a college degree without going into debt.

Grand Canyon University and the State of Arizona on Thursday announced the Fostering Futures Scholarship. It will cover 100% of the costs for tuition, fees, and year-round room and board for qualified students.

“When they graduate, they will graduate with absolutely zero loans and they will graduate in very important areas like nursing, education, engineering, computer science, and information technology,” GCU President Brian Mueller said.

In 2019, less than half of foster care kids pursued higher education.

“This new scholarship will ensure more of these kids have access to a high-quality, affordable education, but it’s more than that,” Gov. Doug Ducey said, adding the scholarship will give foster kids access to the fundamental needs that many people don’t have to think about twice.

Michael Faust, director of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, stressed how important it is for room and board to also be covered so foster care students have a consistent place to live.

“Young people need a safe place to lay their head,” Faust said. “Without sustainable housing, without a secure place to live, they can’t worry about an education.”

Jacqueline Carter, a GCU alum who was once in the foster care system, can attest to how impactful it was to have housing year-round.

“This school became my home during school breaks, especially when I didn’t have a place to call home,” she said. “I celebrated Christmases here and Thanksgivings here.”

There are also other aspects included in the program, such as students having access to counseling with admissions and student services, free tutoring, mentoring programs, student worker opportunities and life skills training.

“When we meet with a group of students who currently attend GCU they said, ‘we need help with things like a checking account and health insurance,”‘  Sarah Boeder, executive president of operations at GCU, said. “So we’ll be taking on that as well.”

The program receives money from multiple sources, including scholarships from GCU, the state and the federal level.

The first scholarships will be awarded for the 2022-23 school year soon.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Sean Bickings (Family Photo via city of Tempe)...

Associated Press

Family of man who drowned last year in Tempe Town Lake files wrongful death lawsuit

The family of a man who drowned in Tempe Town Lake a year ago filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city Wednesday, noting that its police department doesn't have a policy requiring officers to go into the water to save someone.

20 hours ago

FILE - Cracked dry mud is seen in a community reservoir that ran nearly empty after its retaining w...

Brandon Gray

BLM to invest over $15M in Arizona for landscape restoration project

The Bureau of Land Management has selected Arizona for its “Restoration Landscapes” project. 

20 hours ago

(AP Photo/Alberto Mariani, File)...

Associated Press

Former Arizona official who claimed election deniers made work ‘toxic’ gets $130K settlement

A former elections official for a rural Arizona county where leaders have embraced election conspiracy theories has received a $130,000 settlement over toxic work environment claims.

20 hours ago

The stretch of 12th Avenue between Washington and Jefferson streets at the Zone homeless encampment...

Kevin Stone

2nd block cleared out in Phoenix’s Zone homeless encampment

A second block at the Zone homeless encampment in downtown Phoenix was cleared Wednesday as enhanced cleanup operations continue.

20 hours ago

Booking photo for Melissa Larue, who was released from the hospital and taken to jail after getting...

KTAR.com

Woman shot by Phoenix officers last week jailed after release from hospital

A woman shot by police officers in Phoenix last week has been released from the hospital and taken to jail, authorities said.

20 hours ago

(KTAR News Photo/Jason Veazey)...

KTAR.com

Fire closes eastbound Loop 101 ramp to southbound State Route 51 in Phoenix

A fire closed the eastbound Loop 101 ramp to southbound State Route 51 in Phoenix for about three hours on Wednesday afternoon.

20 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Here are the biggest tips to keep your AC bill low this summer

PHOENIX — In Arizona during the summer, having a working air conditioning unit is not just a pleasure, but a necessity. No one wants to walk from their sweltering car just to continue to be hot in their home. As the triple digits hit around the Valley and are here to stay, your AC bill […]

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Spinal fusion surgery has come a long way, despite misconceptions

As Dr. Justin Field of the Desert Institute for Spine Care explained, “we've come a long way over the last couple of decades.”

(Photo by Michael Matthey/picture alliance via Getty Images)...

Cox Communications

Valley Boys & Girls Club uses esports to help kids make healthy choices

KTAR’s Community Spotlight focuses on the Boys & Girls Club of the Valley and the work to incorporate esports into children's lives.

GCU gives Arizona foster care students opportunity to go to college debt free