Financial Aid and Scholarships for Foster Youth

Chafee Grant:

Current and former foster youth who were in care at the age of 16 are eligible for the Chafee Grant. Students may use their Chafee grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while they are in school. Students can use their Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states.  The Chafee grant is available to students for up to five (5) years or until they reach the age of 26. 

Based on current changes enacted through SB 150, students eligible for Chafee can maintain Chafee grant eligibility, even if they are not meeting financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements so long as they meet the following criteria.

  • Complete a Success Plan with the LINC Academic Counselor.  Appointments can be scheduled online or by emailing maguilar@cerritos.edu.
  • Additional support resources are available to help students implement their success plan:
    • Student Support Online Services: direct links to campus support services including academic counseling, student health, tutoring, library services, and more.
    • Success Center: provides access to online tutoring across various subjects, academic skills workshops, and more.
    • Cerritos College Basic Needs: provides information on local food pantries and housing resources among other essential services.

Cerritos College Foundation

The Cerritos College Foundation is accepts scholarship applications for the fall and spring semesters. There are many opportunities for students. A copy of the scholarship is included in the tinyurl hyperlink below. The scholarships are geared toward:

  • African American/Black Students
  • Business majors
  • Child Development majors
  • Student Accessibility Services 
  • Film & Television Production majors
  • Former or Current Foster Youth
  • First-year students
  • Health Occupation majors
  • Physical Therapist Assistant majors
  • Re-Entry Students
  • Speech majors
  • STEM majors
  • Volunteerism/Community Service/Leadership

The Scholarship Application is available online at www.cerritos.edu/foundationscholarships and the deadline for students to complete the application (including letters of recommendation) varies.