Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) awarded scholarships to a record 259 college-bound current and former youth in care – the most the agency has ever awarded in its history. The milestone was celebrated at a lunch and ceremony held in the students’ honor at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Lisle, Ill. Historically, the department has awarded an average of 53 scholarships each year. This year’s record breaking 259 scholarships is a 389 percent increase over the prior year, demonstrating the department’s commitment to education and increased investment in DCFS programs. The Governor’s FY24 budget provided$5.66 million in funding for DCFS scholarships, up from just over $1.2 million in FY19. The DCFS Scholarship Program is available to youth who have an open DCFS case, whose cases were closed through adoption or guardianship, or who aged out of care at 18 or older. DCFS Scholarship Program recipients are selected based on their scholastic record and aptitude, community and extracurricular activities, three letters of recommendation, and a personal essay illustrating their purpose for higher education. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and public universities, a monthly grant of $1,506 to offset other expenses, and a Medicaid card.