The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Director Heidi E. Mueller, legislators, DCFS staff, caregivers and students gathered to celebrate this year’s scholarship recipients at the department’s annual scholarship luncheon at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare in Rosemont. This year, 317 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 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. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at Illinois public colleges and universities, community colleges and trade schools; a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses; a one-time start-up grant of $236 to assist with their initial college living expenses; and a Medicaid card.

Photo Credit: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services