Unfortunately, foster children come from broken families, and many have parents who are incarcerated. Foster children also face enormous barriers to education, especially financial barriers. ScholarCHIPS for Children of Incarcerated Parents both scholarship and mentorship opportunities for youth facing these challenges.

Each year, ScholarCHIPS awards $3,500 scholarships (that goes towards college tuition and/or cost of attendance) and $1,000 book awards to its scholars for a minimum of four years, as long as you remain enrolled in and in good standing (at least a 2.5 G.P.A.) at a community college or four-year college, university or vocational training program.

Application Deadline is April 15, 2024

Apply Here

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Please review the requirements below to ensure that you qualify.

The applicant:

Must be a graduating high school senior with plans to pursue higher education (including an accredited four-year college or university, community college, technical or vocational school), or already a college student

Must be personally affected by having an incarcerated parent(s) or an immediate family member(s) in prison who has served as the applicant’s primary caregiver

Must have a minimum high school GPA of 2.0 (cumulative) or higher

You can live anywhere within the United States to apply; however, must be willing to travel (expenses paid) to Washington, DC or another state for the Annual Awards Ceremony

May be living on his or her own (independently) and/or have children of his or her own. This is not a requirement, but if one of these applies to you, you are still eligible to apply.

Submit your completed application and email us all required documentation to scholarchipsfund@gmail.com

Must be willing to participate in a combination of online/virtual and in-person events hosted by ScholarCHIPS, at least two per year, to be eligible and willing to sign a media release form

If you have any questions, please email us at scholarchipsfund@gmail.com

NOTE: We welcome you to apply whether your parent or other immediate family primary caregiver is currently incarcerated or was formerly incarcerated. We recognize that each person’s time served will vary. You will have the opportunity to explain how their incarceration has had an impact on you in the essay portion of the application.

Scholarship Application Requirements

Completed ScholarCHIPS Application

Current resume or brag sheet

An unofficial or official high school transcript (including senior year report card when available)
Two (2) recommendation letters from the following:

– One (1) high school official (teacher, counselor, principal or school administrator) who is familiar with the applicant’s academic history, leadership, commitment to learning and ability to matriculate through college

– One (1) community member (i.e. church member, community service or job site supervisor) who is familiar with the applicant’s good citizenship, community involvement, leadership and character

Handwritten or electronically signed ScholarCHIPS Consent Form (email to request)

Proof of financial need (i.e., copy of FAFSA/SAR report)

College or university acceptance letters for the 2024-2025 academic year (please provide acceptance letters with your application or as soon as possible thereafter; applicants for whom acceptance letters do not reach the Application Review Committee in time for the review process may be deemed ineligible)

Proof of parent’s or immediate family member’s incarceration (includes incarcerated relative’s name, prison name, prison identification/register number and/or a copy of the Inmate Locator website page, if available, for each inmate)

Proof of college enrollment (at least half-time) will be requested by the Application Review Committee before award funds are disbursed

If you have any questions please email us at scholarchipsfund@gmail.com

The Tassle is Worth the Hassle!