WMU Supports Foster Youth!

January 28, 2010

Western Michigan University Foster Youth & Higher Education Initiative:

WMU has a program with three major components:

1.              Student outreach and recruitment – WMU offers incoming freshmen the John Seita Scholarship, which waives tuition fees as long as students live on their campus.  On-campus housing will be available at WMU throughout the year and on breaks. 

2.              Student retention – The WMU Foster Youth & Higher Initiative is designed to send foster youth the message that they are welcome on campus and to promote a sense of belonging that is sometimes absent in the foster care system.  The John Seita Scholarship will be renewable for each year of undergraduate study, as long as students continue to live on campus and meet basic requirements.  In addition, work-study opportunities will be available on campus.  Other services included are mentoring, academic tutoring, student networking, counseling and other student and academic support services.  In addition, this cohort of students may need additional help in catching up with life skills such as banking, budgeting, and time management.

3.              Student Career Planning – Efforts toward career planning will begin early on.

 

How to apply for the WMU Foster Youth & Higher Education Initiative:

1.              Applicants need to have applied for ETV.  Call 1-877-660-6388 to apply.  This is an admissions requirement and will help with rent and other things.  Without applying for ETV, each application will be looked at as a case by case scenario.

2.              Need to print off a hard copy of WMU general admissions application and fill it out - *write Seita Scholarship at top of application – this will waive the application fee.

3.              Go to Seita program site www.wmich.edu/fyit and read about the program.  Then, print off the scholarship application and fill it out.

4.              Send both applications in together with paperwork that will be listed on the website to:  Western Michigan University, Office of Admission Ave., 1903 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI  49008-5211.

 

College and FAFSA Information

January 28, 2010

Apply for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov

 

Contact your DHS caseworker and ask for Word documents:

DHS-945

DHS-944


Change in federal student financial aid as of July 2009:  P.L. 110-84 (College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 20...


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EduGuide Works with MYOI to Help Make More Opportunities for Foster Youth

January 28, 2010
There is a new non-profit agency called EduGuide, based out of Lansing, that assists student, families, and educators with ensuring that students meet their full potential.  You may have seen their EduGuide magazines at events you have attended for MYOI, or been to their website.

EduGuide is beginning to rebuild their website to be more interactive and MYOI wanted to make sure that they are including the population of foster youth/former foster youth.  

Please take a minute to go to the EduGuid...
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Changes to SSI Application for Foster Youth

January 28, 2010

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Applications for Disabled Youth Transitioning out of Foster Care

Background

Effective immediately, we may accept an SSI application from a disabled youth in foster care up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are expected to end. This is an exception to the general rule of accepting an SSI application in the month before the month of eligibility. This policy will aid disabled youth in foster care to make the transition to adult life by helping...


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