Hello!

AFFCF is pleased to bring you the latest information about the resources you need to help you and your student get ready for post-secondary studies.

Below are three resources that students who are freshman, sophomores, and juniors and their caregivers can take advantage of to learn about post-secondary education.
ASU FIRST STAR
The First Star program is a national college readiness program for students with foster care backgrounds and one of its chapters, the First Star ASU Academy, is located in the valley!

First Star ASU Academy is a free, long-term college readiness program for high school foster youth. It focuses on academics, life skills, and personal development, while facilitating students’ self-discovery through monthly workshops and summer immersion programming at ASU. It is a great way for students to meet peers, develop a support network, and plan for their futures!

Eligible students are:

  • High school students in foster care with open dependency case with Arizona’s Department of Child Safety or Tribal agency.

  • Students who maintain a 2.0 GPA or better on a 4.0 scale and have a good attendance record.

  • Students who are interested in participating in monthly workshops and a two-week summer program at ASU.


The First Star ASU Academy is currently accepting applications for its 2023-2024 program! To apply, please click the below links.

The Student recommendations (two required) should be submitted by adults.
Transcripts and school attendance should also be uploaded with application.

Questions? Please contact [email protected]
COLLEGE DEPOT GRIT
College Depot's GRIT program is free and provides current high school juniors with a support system to help them achieve their college aspirations. 

GRIT stands for Graduating Ready, Independent, and Tenacious and works to ensure that students meet that goal. Students who enroll into GRIT are assigned an advisor who will work with them on college planning, financial aid, and admissions. This includes assistance with completing the FAFSA and college applications, as well as scholarships, college searches, and anything else needed to successfully start college after graduating high school. 

Students are able to meet their GRIT advisor virtually or in-person throughout the school year to ensure they are on track with their own plan and ready to begin their college journey. 

High school freshman and sophomores who are interested in participating in GRIT in the future can complete an interest form to be contacted once GRIT is enrolling for their class.

Current high school juniors can sign up for GRIT now!
WEBINAR TO HIGHLIGHT RESOURCES FOR
POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION
Three organizations will be presenting resources for post-secondary education at a free Zoom webinar on Thursday, March 30th, 2023 from 10:00am - 11:30am.

The webinar, entitled College for Kids in Care: Stability, Resources, and Financial Support, will provide those working with and caring for students currently or formerly in foster care with information about resources for stability during high school and post-secondary education. The presenters will be:

  • Arizona Department of Education's Foster Care Education Coordinator, Joey Taylor

  • Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation's Post-Secondary Education Program Manager, Erika Klotz

  • Earn to Learn's Director of Community Engagement, Courtney Fauss

Register by clicking on the the button or the flyer below!
AFFCF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION RESOURCE GUIDE
Do you have questions about how to pay for college? How you can have your enrollment fee paid for? Whether you need to pay a housing deposit to live on campus?

Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation (AFFCF) has a digital Post-Secondary Education Resource Guide!

It contains information about college readiness, financial resources for paying for college, on-campus support organizations, enrollment checklists, and more!

All of the links and e-mail addresses in the guide are clickable.

Click the below image to download the guide from AFFCF's website!
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!

Sincerely,


Erika Klotz
Post-Secondary Program Manager
Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation
(602) 775-5786