Cuyahoga Community CollegeReach Scholars (Formerly Foster Scholars)
Thank you for choosing to be at Cuyahoga Community College! You are in charge of your future and a college degree can be the ticket to fulfill your career goals and personal dreams. We want to help you succeed by informing you of all of the services that are available to you that you may or may not be aware of.
Reach Scholars Mentoring Program
The Reach Scholars (formerly Foster Scholars) Mentoring Program pairs students with a faculty member or staff member to provide encouragement, connection to College resources, and emotional support to ensure that the reach scholar makes academic progress toward degree completion. The Mentor is a faculty or staff member who agrees to be available to the reach scholar (Mentee) throughout the academic year via in-person meetings, phone calls, and e-mail to provide support.
Reach Scholars, submit your application to request a mentor.
Faculty and Staff, submit an application to become a mentor.
Please contact Dr. Andrew Cox at Andrew.Cox@tri-c.edu or 216-987-0496 with questions.
Explore Campus Support for Foster Youth Scholars
We have identified specific Reach Scholars Campus Liaisons who are located at each of our campuses to help assist your needs. Please click below to find out more information about each department. We are here to help you so please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
External Resources
The programs below can connect you with outside dedicated professionals to help you transition successfully in college and also planning for your future career:
Eligible students may receive grants of up to $5,000 per year for up to five years or until their 23rd birthday. ETV funds can be combined with other grants or scholarships to minimize or eliminate the need for student loans.
“The ETV Program is not just financial aid, it is a system of academic and social support designed to help students successfully complete their education and become independent contributing members of society.” - Eileen McCaffrey, Executive Director of Foster Care to Success
AmeriCorps provides opportunities to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. Full-time AmeriCorps members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans. Members who serve part-time receive a partial award.
Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED and find and keep a good job. For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low-income, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.
Provides support for Foster Youth reaching higher education through leadership, empowerment, advocacy, research, and networking (L.E.A.R.N).
The Ohio Benefit Bank™ is designed to make it simpler for people in Ohio to connect with programs and resources that can make those decisions a little bit easier. From the comfort of your home or from any computer with Internet access, you can use The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB™) to complete applications for programs like food assistance, child care assistance, health coverage, and much more. Contact the Student Financial Aid & Scholarships Office for more details and to make an appointment to apply for benefits.
Get Involved! Student Clubs, Workshops or Activities
Visit our Student Life Office or our College Calendar to find out more information on upcoming events.
Red Scarf Project - “Foster Care to Success’ Red Scarf Project gives us each an opportunity to show that someone out there, even a stranger, truly cares about our foster youth.” - “Master Knitter” Lily Chin, Red Scarf Project spokesperson
Apply for Scholarships!
College Now
Chafee Grants
Educational and Training Voucher Program
Junior League of Cleveland
Tri-C Institutional Scholarships
Ohio Reach Mentee Scholarship
The requirements for candidates are listed below:
- A Former Foster Youth *As defined must have been in foster care at least one day after their 13th birthday*
- Must be a registered student at a program which has Ohio Reach Mentoring *does not have to be full-time as long as the student has a full time relationship with a Mentor at a College*
- Must obtain a transcript from university or college *does not have to be an official transcript.*
- Must obtain a referral from Campus Liaison/Coach
