The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Director Heidi Mueller, legislators, DCFS staff, caregivers and students gathered to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients at the department’s annual scholarship luncheon. This year, 347 current or former youth in care received scholarships provided by the Illinois DCFS Scholarship Program, including up to five consecutive years of tuition and mandatory fee waivers valid at Illinois public universities, community colleges and vocational schools. The program also provides student recipients with financial assistance for books and school supplies, a monthly grant payment to supplement other expenses and an Illinois Medicaid card. In the last three years, and under the leadership of Governor Pritzker and the Illinois General Assembly, DCFS continues to prioritize education and career opportunities for current and former youth in care. This year’s 347 scholarships follow 352 scholarships awarded in 2024 and 259 scholarships awarded in 2023. 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. For more information, visit www.dcfs.illinois.gov

Photo Credit: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services