The Youth Education Scholarship (YES™) Program
YES was created because foster youth attend and graduate from college at rates far below their peers.
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Compared to 50% of all high school students, less than 25% of foster youth pursue post secondary education; and, of those, only 1% will graduate with a college degree or vocational certificate. |
The objective is to increase higher educational opportunities for former foster youth and to equip them with the tools and support to enter and succeed in school. YES goes beyond the basic scholarship program by connecting scholars to a comprehensive support network that includes mentorship and academic, financial, and life-skills services.
YES Scholar Spotlights
YES Mentor Program
In an effort to assure that students are connected to a strong support network, YES Scholars are matched to a mentor whose role is providing personal support, encouragement, and guidance throughout the academic year. YES mentors are teachers, Independent Living Program Counselors, or other caring adults.
Scholarship Grants
Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, financial need, educational and vocational plans, and the desire to serve as a positive role model to other youth in the foster care system. Scholarships may be used for tuition, books, school supplies, housing, transportation, clothing, food and other education-related expenses.
Each year YES scholars can receive aid for enrollment in community college or universities. Scholarship amounts are based on unmet financial need. Funding is intended to supplement, but not replace, other available scholarship and financial aid funding.
Most students accepted into the YES Program can reapply for annual scholarship support for up to 5 years if they continue to make satisfactory academic progress and fulfill the YES requirements.
College Survival Fund
The YES College Survival Fund is a supplemental needs-based grant created to address the educational and emergency needs of current YES Scholars. The Children’s Fund recognizes that traditional financial aid often does not cover the costs that arise from everyday situations, some of which may disrupt a student’s education. To be considered for funding, applicants must be current YES scholars.
Eligibility Guidelines for Foster Youth
- In foster or kinship care in Santa Clara County after age 13 for at least one year
- Achieved a minimum 2.3 cumulative high school GPA or 2.0 cumulative college GPA
- Highly motivated and able to successfully meet educational and career goals
- Accepted to or attending an accredited college, university, or vocational educational institution for the current academic year
- Applied for other financial aid
Application Process
To apply to the YES Program, applicants are required to submit a complete application package consisting of:
- YES Application Form for new scholars or Re-Application Form for current scholars
- Student budget worksheet
- A typed personal statement (approximately two pages, double-spaced)
- Two letters of recommendation
- Mentor Commitment Agreement
- Proof of Dependency Letter from the Department of Family and Children Services
- (DFCS) of Santa Clara County
- Academic transcripts from each institution attended
- Applicants maybe subject to a personal interview as part of the selection process
Now accepting YES™ Program Mid-Year Applications for the Spring
2009 Academic term. Deadline: October 31, 2008.
 Download the 2008-2009 New Scholar Mid-Year Application Form
"08-09_New_Scholar_Mid-Year_App.pdf" (1.14 mb)
Download the 2008-2009 Returning Scholar Mid-Year Re-Application Form
"08-09_Ret_Scholar_Mid-Year_Re-App.pdf" (0.66 mb)
For more information about the YES Program, please contact Lany Or at
(408) 558-5439 or email lany.or@svcf.org. |
