Scholarship Application

The 2026 All-Star College Scholarship Application will open February 1st!

To be notified when the application goes live, fill out our interest form. 

Application closes May 1, 2026 – Winners anounced in July

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:​

> >  ​Applicants must have been adopted or exited foster care to permanent guardianship at or after the age of thirteen (13)
> >  ​Applicants must demonstrate financial need through the FAFSA Application

> >  Applicants must be incoming or current college students, age 21 or younger at the time that the application is submitted, accepted to or attending an accredited college or university located in the United States

Application Requirements:

A completed application that includes four short essays written by the student.

> > Three letters of recommendation. Letters should reflect the writer’s knowledge of the student’s achievements, improvements, and personal needs.

  • Teacher/ Administrator: One letter should represent a teacher or administrator who is familiar with the student’s work and accomplishments.
  • Personal Reference: The second letter should come from a significant person in the child’s life (i.e. social worker, coach, mentor, etc.).
  • Parent: The parent letter should highlight the growth the student has shown since adoption. ​

> > A copy of your Student Aid Report (FAFSA). Visit the web for complete FAFSA details including deadlines at www.fafsa.ed.gov

> > If the student’s college or university requires submission of ACT/SAT scores for admission, a copy of the score report from the applicable testing agency

> > A copy of your adoption or legal guardianship paperwork

UMPS CARE may award one or more grants of up to $5,000 each semester (for a maximum of $10,000 per school year, and up to $40,000 in total for a 4 year enrollment) to each student who is selected as a scholarship recipient, subject to continued compliance with the maintenance standards below. UMPS CARE will determine the amount of such grant in its sole discretion, taking into account the applicant’s actual financial needs, as demonstrated by the FAFSA application and any other supplemental financial information provided by the applicant.

​Requirements to Maintain Scholarship:

A student’s ongoing eligibility to receive grants during their college enrollment shall be subject to the following requirements.  Our standards align with Federal Grant standards:

> > Minimum 2.5 GPA during school – if GPA falls below 2.5 scholarship will be considered ‘under review’ by the scholarship committee and additional actions will be required
> > Submit grades and proof of registration for subsequent classes at the end of every semester
> > Uphold an ethical code of conduct personally, academically and professionally
> > Maintain communication with UMPS CARE staff and/or mentorship team each semester​
> > Provide supplemental financial information as requested by UMPS CARE Charities

Grant Uses:

This grant may be used towards tuition, room and board, meal plans, books and study supplies, student activity fees and any other legitimate college-related expenses, in each case, to the extent not otherwise covered by other scholarships, federal or state need-based aid, student loans, and any other financial assistance provided by the school or other agency. Any scholarship funds requested to be paid to an entity other than the applicable school’s finance department will require documentation, acceptable to UMPS CARE in its sole discretion, explaining the nature and amount of such expenditures.
 
Post-Graduate Education:

In the event that a scholarship recipient receives less than $40,000 in total scholarship funds prior to graduation, the recipient may request that UMPS CARE apply the remaining balance towards tuition for a graduate program of study at an accredited college or university.  In order to qualify, the student must submit proof of acceptance and enrollment into the graduate program, with classes beginning no later than six (6) months after the student’s undergraduate college graduation date.  

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 801-599-1706