State Senator Sara Feigenholtz is urging current and former youth under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to apply for the 2026 DCFS Scholarship Program.
“Students transitioning to college should be able to focus on their education instead of having to worry about how to pay for school – especially our most vulnerable youth,” said Feigenholtz (D-Chicago). “This scholarship gives young people the life-changing opportunity to pursue their dreams without burdening them with additional costs.”
Every year, the program awards scholarships to students who are in DCFS care, have aged out of care, or are former youth in care who were adopted. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers for participating community colleges and public universities in Illinois, along with a monthly grant stipend and a medical card. Since the program’s inception, over 2,000 students have received scholarships.
“Like any other family who supports their kids through higher education, these are our kids and the state should show up for them,” Feigenholtz added.
Applications can be submitted online before the March 31 deadline. Applicants and their caregivers can call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 or email DCFS.Scholarship@illinois.gov with any questions.
