Fostering Hope Scholarship
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR); administered by Embrace Alabama Kids (Support for Success)
Pays tuition and required fees at Alabama public colleges and state-funded training programs for students who were in Alabama foster care when they finished high school (or adopted/kinship after 14).
- How much
- Tuition and required fees
- Who qualifies
- Current or former Alabama foster youth (in custody at HS graduation/GED, or kinship-guardianship/adoption finalized at 14+)
- Under 26 at the start of the term; net personal assets under $30,000; FAFSA; adequate academic progress; 50 volunteer hours per semester or 5 hours/week of work to keep the award; Alabama public colleges or eligible state-funded CTE programs only.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling; apply before each term; must be under 26 at the start of the term.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA, then apply through Embrace Alabama Kids' Support for Success application (the DHR-contracted administrator, formerly fosteringhopeal.org)
- Social workers, providers or colleges can help
- Questions: s4s@embracealkids.org, (334) 387-2168
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dhr.alabama.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
Created by Act 2015-121. A state-funded scholarship covering tuition and required fees for current and former foster youth at Alabama public community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, and eligible state-funded career and technical training programs that lead to a recognized certification (private colleges not included). Eligible: in Alabama foster care custody at high school graduation or GED; or in permanent custody when kinship-guardianship or adoption was finalized at age 14 or older. Must be under 26 at the start of the term, have net personal assets under $30,000, file the FAFSA, make adequate academic progress, and for continuing awards do 50 volunteer hours per semester or work 5 hours per week. Capped at 72 academic hours toward an associate or 144 toward a bachelor's (per DHR). DHR's separate federally funded Education and Training Voucher (up to $5,000/yr) is administered through the same application.
More money from Alabama
- (Re)Engage Alabama Grant ProgramUp to $1,500 per semester (community college, associate) or $3,000 per semester (university, bachelor's) for full-time students; prorated for 6-11 hours
- Alabama Student Assistance Program (ASAP)$300 to $5,000 per academic year
- Alabama Student Grant Program (ASGP)Up to $3,000 per academic year (amount varies with available funds)
- Senior Adult Scholarship (Tuition Waiver) - Alabama Community College SystemTuition waived (fees, books and supplies not covered)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.