NJFC SCHOLARS PROGRAM APPLICATION

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2024-2025 Academic Year New Student Application
This application is for NEW NJFC Scholar Applicants only. Please submit if you are not currently active in the NJFC Scholars Program for the current academic year. Thank you.

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Eligibility Information

Eligibility

New applicants must meet ALL of the following general requirements:

Be between the ages of 16 and 23.

Be in possession of a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency (GED, TASC or HiSET). High school seniors may apply before receiving their diploma, but scholarship award is contingent upon graduation.
Have a working e-mail address. New students will be emailed as part of the application process.
All applicants attending or planning to attend a participating NJ school are required to submit an Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) application and create/check their NJFAMS account for Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) eligibility. Students who completed the FAFSA for the first time this academic year must create an NJFAMS account through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) website. Returning FAFSA applicants must check their NJFAMS account for TAG eligibility. For more information, please visit here . The EOF application can be obtained through the EOF office at the school you plan to attend. Please visit here for a list of schools with EOF programs.

In addition, all applicants must meet at least ONE of the following placement history requirements:

Out-of-Home Placements	Adoption
·Are or were you in the care and custody of CP&P, in an out-of-home placement, for a total of 9 months or more after your 16^th birthday? If yes, both Federal Education and Training Voucher and State Tuition Waiver eligible.	·Were you adopted through the New Jersey CP&P after your 12^th birthday? If yes, Federal Education and Training Voucher or State Option eligible.
·Are or were you in the care and custody of CP&P, in an out-of-home placement for a total of 18 months or more after your 14^th birthday? If yes, Federal Education and Training Voucher eligible.	Kinship Legal Guardianship (KLG)*
	·Did you leave an out-of-home paid placement through the New Jersey CP&P to enter Kinship Legal Guardianship after your 16^th birthday? If yes, Federal Education and Training Voucher eligible. *KLG occurs when the court grants the caregiver legal responsibility for the youth, and the caregiver has the rights of care, custody and supervision of the youth. Youth entering KLG solely through the court system without CP&P placement do NOT qualify.
Do you reside in, or have you resided in, a Transitional Living Program for youth or independent living arrangement approved by CP&P? If yes, State Tuition Waiver eligible only. The facility or program must receive payment pursuant to the New Jersey Homeless Youth Act or the Federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. State Tuition Waiver funding is limited to unpaid tuition and fees after grants and scholarships have been applied (does not include room and board) for full-time enrollment at a NJ public institution.

What eligibility criteria do you feel you meet?*
- Out-of-Home Placement
- Adoption
- Kinship Legal Guardianship
Do you currently have an open case with the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P)?*
- Yes
- No
Caseworker's Name*
First Last
Caseworker's Email*
Is the sum of your personal assets (i.e. Bank Account, Car, Home, Etc.) greater than $10,000?*
- Yes
- No
Graduation Type*
- High School Diploma
- High School Equivalency
Date of High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Received/Expected*
Month
Day
Year
High School Name (Answer NA if you completed a high school equivalency program)
High School Town, State (Answer NA if if you received a High School Equivalency)
Equivalency Program
Program Town, State

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Statistical Information
Race - Please note that this question is for statistical information only and has no impact on your funding eligibility for the New Jersey Foster Care (NJFC) Scholars Program.*
American Indian or Alaskan Native
White
Black or African American
Asian
Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Unknown/Unable to Determine
Declined
How did you first find out about the NJFC Scholars Program? (Please Pick One)*

High School

CP&P Case Manager

embrella Referral

PACES

Resource Parent

Independent Living Program

Presentation

College Rep.

Mail

Web

Media Source

Transitional Living Program

Other
Other (Please Explain)

Do you have health insurance?*

Yes

No
If yes, please check how you are insured. If no, visit www.healthcare.gov

Medicaid/MEYA

School

Parent/Guardian

Other
Other

Current Employment Status*

Employed

Unemployed
How many hours per week do you work?
Did you attend an NJFC Scholars Program outreach event sponsored by embrella to receive or complete this application?*

Yes

No
If so, when (MM/YY)

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School Information
While attending school, will you be living*

On-Campus

Off-Campus
Name of college or institution you are planning to attend during the academic year for this application
Name of College or Institution (Out of State)

School Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Student I.D. # (If you have one, if not enter 0)*

I attend or plan to attend*

Full-time

Part-time
I am currently seeking*

Voc. Training/Certificate

Associate's Degree

BA/BS
Anticipated Year of College Graduation/Program Completion*

For the 2024-2025 academic year, I will be a…*

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

N/A- Career/Technical
Did you apply to the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF)?*

Yes

No

EOF not offered at my Post-Secondary Institution
If yes, are you*

Accepted

Declined

Pending

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Terms and Usage Agreement
I acknowledge that by completing this application I am applying for two scholarship programs – The Federal Education and Training Voucher Program and the State Tuition Waiver Program. My individual eligibility will be based on my CP&P placement history and/or living arrangement. I, the undersigned, do HEREBY CERTIFY that I am in need of financial assistance to continue my education. I affirm that I have fully read and have fully completed the NJFC Scholars Program application. I, the undersigned, do HEREBY DECLARE under the penalty of the laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States that this application has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge is true and correct. I understand that, if I qualify for the NJFC Scholars Program, the amount awarded may vary depending upon my individual demonstrated need and other eligibility criteria, and is for the 2024-2025 academic year. I understand that any misuse of funding, failure to maintain a 2.0 GPA or failure to comply with my institution’s academic policy may result in termination of funding. NJFC funding is for Fall and Spring semesters only. I understand that the amount of funding I receive may vary based on my total financial aid package and is contingent on available federal and state funding. At any time, the NJFC Scholars Program may notify me if funding will be limited for the Fall and/or Spring semesters.*
I understand
I acknowledge that by completing this application I am applying for two scholarship programs – The Federal Education and Training Voucher Program and the State Tuition Waiver Program. My individual eligibility will be based on my CP&P placement history and/or living arrangement.

I, the undersigned, do HEREBY CERTIFY that I am in need of financial assistance to continue my education. I affirm that I have fully read and have fully completed the NJFC Scholars Program application. I, the undersigned, do HEREBY DECLARE under the penalty of the laws of the State of New Jersey and the United States that this application has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge is true and correct.

I understand that, if I qualify for the NJFC Scholars Program, the amount awarded may vary depending upon my individual demonstrated need and other eligibility criteria, and is for the 2024-2025 academic year. I understand that any misuse of funding, failure to maintain a 2.0 GPA or failure to comply with my institution’s academic policy may result in termination of funding.

NJFC funding is for Fall and Spring semesters only.

I understand that the amount of funding I receive may vary based on my total financial aid package and is contingent on available federal and state funding. At any time, the NJFC Scholars Program may notify me if funding will be limited for the Fall and/or Spring semesters.
Name*
First Last
Signature of Applicant*

Today's Date*
Month
Day
Year

Post-Secondary Institution Waiver of Consent: Required
Due to state and federal regulations, no personal information about your financial or academic progress can be released by the post-secondary institution you attend without your expressed written consent. In order to process your award and offer support services, embrella staff will need access to your academic and financial aid records.
Student Name*
First Last
College Attending*

Student ID # (If you don't have an ID #, please type NA)*

Last 4 digits of Social Security #*

Date of Birth*
Month
Day
Year

Student's Email*

Student's Telephone*
By signing below, I hereby give permission to embrella, or their designated appointee, to access my financial and academic records at the school named above. I understand that information will be received and disclosed by embrella and my Post-Secondary Institution for the purpose of determining financial need and eligibility.*

Today's Date*
Month
Day
Year

Release of Information
I,*
First Last
hereby permit the following entities to receive and disclose relevant information on an on-going basis to provide effective and coordinated services to me while I am a NJFC Scholar: embrella Department of Children and Families (DCF) staff (Child Protection & Permanency/Office of Adolescent Services, etc.) Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) staff New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education/Educational Opportunity Fund Pathways to Academic and Career Exploration to Success (PACES) Program Providers Other agency or entity not included in the above list (if none, leave blank, but still sign and date waiver):*
I agree to the below information
hereby permit the following entities to receive and disclose relevant information on an on-going basis to provide effective and coordinated services to me while I am a NJFC Scholar:

embrella

Department of Children and Families (DCF) staff (Child Protection & Permanency/Office of Adolescent Services, etc.)

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA) staff

New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education/Educational Opportunity Fund

Pathways to Academic and Career Exploration to Success (PACES) Program Providers

Other agency or entity not included in the above list (if none, leave blank, but still sign and date waiver):

Do you have a PACES coach?*

Yes

No
Name of PACES Coach
First Last
Email of PACES Coach

Are there any agencies not included in the above list that you permit us to receive and disclose relevant information with?*
Yes
No
Agency Name

Agency Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Agency Phone
Staff Member Name
First Last
Staff Member Email

Student's Signature*

Today's Date*
Month
Day
Year

Independent Status Verification
I,*
First Last
hereby permit the Office of Adolescent Services, in partnership with embrella, to verify my status as an independent student, and to provide documentation on my behalf to: Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Representatives of my post-secondary institution listed above, as requested.*
I agree to the below information
hereby permit the Office of Adolescent Services, in partnership with embrella, to verify my status as an independent student, and to provide documentation on my behalf to:

Higher Education Student Assistance Authority

Representatives of my post-secondary institution listed above, as requested.

Sign Here*

Today's Date*
Month
Day
Year

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1. NJFC application and waiver pages - All questions must be answered. Signatures and dates are required for the application, the Post-Secondary Institution Waiver of Consent, the Release of Information and the Independent Verification.
2. For US Citizens: A copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary. Please visit here for more information. For Non-Citizens/NJ Dreamers: Proof of completed and submitted New Jersey Alternative Financial Aid Application. Please visit for more information here.
3. Proof of acceptance or current enrollment schedule from the post-secondary institution you are planning to attend or are currently attending. Institution must be accredited to receive Title IV funding (Federal Financial Aid).
4. Email verification - Applicants will be emailed by a scholarship representative to verify their email address. You are required to reply to this email as part of the application process. You may also email scholarships@embrella.org with your full name as printed on your application to verify your email address.
6. If applicable, a letter from the Transitional Living Program or supportive housing detailing dates of residence.

NJFC SCHOLARS PROGRAM APPLICATION

Step 1 of 7

2024-2025 Academic Year New Student Application

Eligibility Information

Eligibility

Applicant Information

Documentation

Statistical Information

School Information

Terms and Usage Agreement

Post-Secondary Institution Waiver of Consent: Required

Release of Information

Independent Status Verification