Scholarships for Foster Youth

About Bravo Scholarships

Bravo provides scholarships for foster youth pursuing college degrees or technical certifications. Our scholarship program supports students with foster care experience as they work toward higher education and career training. Please note that our scholarships can only be applied toward tuition, textbooks, or class-related fees. They cannot be used for travel or living expenses.

To qualify for a scholarship, you must satisfy the following criteria:

Demonstrate that you have spent time in the foster care system.
Are 26 or younger at the beginning of the school term for which you are applying.
Be enrolled in an accredited post-secondary education program.

Please note that applications will not be considered if they are incomplete or are received after the due date.

Understanding the Barriers Students Face

The College Journey summarizes what Bravo Scholars experience on their path to and through college — including the financial, academic, and practical barriers that shape our Scholarship Program, as well as the supports that follow. It reflects what we learned directly from students and how those insights guide our work.

Read The College Journey

Scholarship Application Package

Requirements vary slightly based on whether you are a new applicant or have previously received a scholarship from us. Please use the checklist on the application to make sure you have included the required documents. The all-inclusive list is as follows:

Documentation verifying your foster care status
Completed application form (download form above)
Copy of your school transcripts verifying your cumulative GPA (the entire transcript is not required).
Letter of acceptance into an accredited program.
Up-to-date resume
Personal essay (guidelines are spelled out on the application form)
Current photo (image file format only)

Contact Ms. Ellen Lysik (elysik@bravoprograms.org) if you have questions.

Get Help

What Happens Next

Within two weeks of the application submission deadline, our Board of Directors will meet to make scholarship award decisions. Shortly after, we will communicate with you about your application.

If you receive a scholarship:

A check will be sent directly to your school in time for the upcoming term.
A Bravo Buddy will reach out to you by the start of the new school term to initiate ongoing communication.

Bravo will announce scholarship awards on our social media platforms.

Active Bravo Scholarship Students

Yasmin Ahmed

Public Health

Wayne State University

Shofi Alom

Engineering

Western Michigan University

Fall 2026 Bravo Scholarship recipient Liaqat Amini

Liaqat (Lee) Amini

International & Global Studies

Ferris State University

Medina Azookari

Digital Marketing

Western Michigan University

Kristel Battle

Human Dev & Family Science

University of Connecticut

Tristan Bentz

Psychology

Wayne State University

Fall 2026 Bravo Scholarship recipient Brendan Birmingham

Brenden Birmingham

Chemistry

Western Michigan University

Carmen Cadwell

Pre-law

Wayne State University

Emily Combs

Art

Wayne State University

Hope Combs

Music (Vocal Teacher)

Eastern Michigan University

Patrick Fitzsimons

Advertising

Michigan State University

Giselle Espinoza

Business Administration

Cal State University, Fullerton

Aniyah Gray-Woods

Criminal Justice

Wayne State University

ArSarNi Grettenburger

Architecture & Design

Western Michigan University

Sha'Kera Hale

Biology

Wayne State University

Chariay Hastings

Master of Social Work

Michigan State University

Genesis Hollie

General Management

Grand Valley State University

DeAndre Holmes

MS Information & Data Analytics

University of Michigan

Nasir Ibrahim

Anthropology / Psychology

Western Michigan University

Hassan Ishac

Supply Chain Management

Western Michigan University

Ahmed Jibril

Health Sciences

Grand Rapids Community College

Elyssa Kutz

Early Childhood Education

Macomb Community College

Pedro Martinez Del Cid

Aviation Management and Ops

Western Michigan University

Jesus Mendoza

American Sign Language

Lamar University

Zubair Muhammad

Supply Chain Management

Western Michigan University

Jolene Myler

Criminal Justice

Wayne State University

Maiga Nafiu

Nursing

Grand Valley State University

Indya Nelson

Paralegal Technology

Wayne Community College

Ruth Okoronkwo

Health and Behavioral Science

University of Houston

Angelique Price

Psychology

Southern New Hampshire University

Genesis Ransome

Management Information Systems

Wayne State University

Juan Salcedo

Chemistry

University of Michigan

Nyanna Saunders

Master of Social Work

Columbia

Madeline Stenson

Elementary Education

Western Washington University

Anna Rose Thelmaque

Juris Doctor (JD) Degree

Western New England Law School

Scholarship Support for Students with Foster Care Experience

Scholarships for Foster Youth

About Bravo Scholarships

Understanding the Barriers Students Face

Application Deadline

Scholarship Application Package

Contact Ms. Ellen Lysik (elysik@bravoprograms.org) if you have questions.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive scholarship program updates

Scholarship Submission

Submit Your Application Package via email.

What Happens Next

Active Bravo Scholarship Students

Scholarship Support for Students with Foster Care Experience

Scholarships for Foster Youth

About Bravo Scholarships

Understanding the Barriers Students Face

Application Deadline

Scholarship Application Package

Contact Ms. Ellen Lysik (elysik@bravoprograms.org) if you have questions.

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive scholarship program updates

Scholarship Submission

Submit Your Application Package via email.

What Happens Next

Active Bravo Scholarship Students

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