Resources

AMP Bill Of Rights

CLICK HERE to view the AMP Bill Of Rights!

Achillea Peer Tutoring

Every single child deserves access to an excellent education — it is the pathway to success. Achillea affords kids in foster care this opportunity.

https://www.peer-tutoring.org/

Foster Care and Adoption

We need foster and adoptive parents! Unfortunately we have a lot of youth who are waiting for foster homes or adoptive homes. If you are interested in learning more about foster care and adoption in the state of Iowa please visit: www.fouroaksfamilyconnections.org for more information.

YouTube links for Helpful Transition Videos

Got Meds:  https://youtu.be/dXzbzUsENQ4

Got Money:  https://youtu.be/iR30tVWcsPI

Got Work:  https://youtu.be/HTy0KVo_1FM

Got Housing: https://youtu.be/kQ5P6pq6ibA

Got School: https://youtu.be/sf0NzAKwqwI

Got Help:  https://youtu.be/2ig0K5wNPYY

Got People:  https://youtu.be/8B9JXoy2ILU

Got Resources:  https://sites.google.com/a/iowa.gov/dhr-youth-services/

Foster care sex abuse is unfortunately a real and tragic thing. Click below to learn more information on this topic and use this resource for education and for victim support of this disgusting act. To learn more check out the link below:

Foster Care Sex Abuse - helpingsurvivors.org/child-sexual-abuse/foster-care/

What's important is providing resources and help for those that need.

Online FAFSA Guide for Graduate Students: https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/financial-aid/guide-to-fafsa/
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees: https://www.onlinemastersdegrees.org/most-affordable/

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the FAFSA application, from initial preparation to submission. It highlights the importance of understanding financial aid eligibility, deadlines, and the documents required for a smooth application process. Additionally, it offers insights into interpreting financial aid offers, making it a valuable resource for students seeking to maximize their funding opportunities for online graduate and master's programs.

Iowa Aftercare Services Network

Entering adulthood comes with making many important decisions, and it can be a tough time. For young adults who have experienced foster care or other out-of-home placement, Iowa Aftercare Services Network provides services and support to help move toward stability and self-sufficiency.

Watch the video

https://iowaaftercare.org/

Fo$ter Fund$

Fo$ter Fund$ are for youth age 14 years and older in: family foster care, relative family care, group foster care, supervised apartment group care, shelter care and are living in Iowa.  Each eligible youth will be allowed up to $300 to be used for the extras that are not covered by state funding. Examples of acceptable use of these funds include: extra-curricular activities (class trip-fees, a summer camp, band, chorus, athletics, etc.); educational expenses related to significant events and occurrences for adolescents such as: senior pictures, prom, class ring, yearbook, etc.; and other such expenses which would benefit adolescents in state paid care but are not covered by state dollars or Medicaid program.  

THE APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND ON OUR HOME PAGE!

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

FAFSA opens on October 1

On October 1, it will be time for students to submit their 2022-23 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students can fill out the form on their computer or on their phone using the myStudentAid mobile app on iOS or Android. Returning users will need their username and password (FSA ID) to log in.

Learn more at IowaCollegeAid.gov/FAFSA.

Several scholarships are listed at: https://iowacollegeaid.gov/ScholarshipsAndGrants

Top 2 are listed below….

All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship

The All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship (AIOS) is a state-funded scholarship program for Iowa students who attend an eligible Iowa college/university. 

Priority for Awards

• Students who age out of Iowa’s foster care system, age out of the State Training School, and students adopted from Iowa’s foster care system after age 16

• Children of deceased public safety workers (including peace officers, police, firefighters, sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, and correctional officers)

• Students who participated in certain federal TRIO programs while in high school (Upward Bound, Talent Search, Educational Opportunity Center)

• Students who graduated from alternative high schools or alternative high school programs

• Students who participated in a Federal GEAR UP Grant program in Iowa

Eligibility Criteria

Generally, high school seniors who graduated in 2021 or will graduate with the class of 2022 are eligible for the All Iowa Opportunity Scholarship if they meet the following criteria:

• Iowa resident

• Attending an eligible Iowa college or university

• Must have graduated from an eligible Iowa high school or completed a high school equivalency diploma within the last 2 years

• Be a first-time college freshman in the fall 2022 or spring 2023 semesters (unless you are renewing your scholarship award)

• Must be continuously enrolled in college and continuously receiving a scholarship disbursement to renew a scholarship

• Enroll for at least 3 semester hours (or the trimester or quarter equivalent) in a program leading to an undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Iowa Financial Aid Application by March 1

• Have an eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) on the 2022-23 FAFSA. (For reference, the eligible EFC range in 2021-22 was $0-$9,543.)

Award Amount and Limits

The amount of the AIOS adjusts each year; for reference, the maximum value for the 2021-22 school year was $4,772. 

Students who are first-time recipients of AIOS in the 2022-23 school year can receive the scholarship for up to eight full-time semesters, or sixteen part-time semesters.

Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

Increased Awards for 2020-21 and 2021-22 School Years

The federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 increased funding for the Education and Training Voucher. The maximum ETV award is usually $5,000 a year. In the coming year, however, that amount will be considerably higher:

• Students who already qualified for ETV in the 2020-21 academic year could be eligible for an additional $2,500 for summer classes, even if they previously reached the $5,000 maximum.

• Students who will attend college in 2021-22 could be eligible for up to $12,000 for the year.

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program usually provides awards of up to $5,000 per year to students who age out of foster care and students who are adopted after age 16. Grant awards are sent directly to the college or university and can be used to pay for tuition/fees, room/board, book/supplies and personal/living expenses.

ETV funds can be used during the summer if the student has not received the entire $5,000 during the prior academic year. Priority for funding will be given to previous recipients then new undergraduate applicants. If funding is available after July 1 of each year, graduate level applicants may be awarded in date-received order. If a student is eligible but no funding is available, he or she will be put on a waitlist. If money becomes available, funds will be awarded by date of completed application within priority group(s). Students can receive ETV funding for five academic years or until the student is 26, whichever comes first.

Eligibility Criteria

Students up to age 26 who have:

• Exited foster care* supervised by the Department of Human Services/Juvenile Court Services within 30 days of their 18th birthday or later OR

• Were legally adopted or entered the Subsidized Guardianship Program from Iowa foster care at the age of 16 or older.

* including but not limited to group care, family foster care, shelter, and relative placement.

Transition Information Packet (TIP)

If you are an older adolescent in foster care, this Transition Information Packet, also known as “TIP”, was developed specifically for to give you a place to record important facts, and give you information on things you might need to know as you transition from the foster care system to the adult world. Getting help preparing for independence is a smart idea. TIP will assist you with organization, as well as give you “the edge” by providing you helpful “tips” as you transition to the responsibilities of adult life. Contact your DHS worker for a hard copy of the packet or CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK .

Kinship Funds

Kinship Funds are for youth age birth-18 that live in any type of “out of home” placement (guardianship/kinship/ fictive kin, relative, suitable other, licensed or not licensed) who are living in Iowa.

THE APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND ON OUR HOME PAGE!

Dream Seed Grant

 What is the whisper of YOUR soul? The Ames Interfaith Community wants to support your dream.  The focus of the young person's use of Dream Seed funds is to assist in the transition to adult life, including the desire to make a positive contribution to society in realizing an individual dream. This may include pursuing a personal goal related to career, educational or community betterment/development goals. Dream Seed fund is not to support therapy or other mental health needs, or meet basic needs for living.  While a youth's particular spiritual path may be of supreme importance that is also not the focus.  For these needs, youth are encouraged to access funding streams connected with the particular areas. A Dream Seed grant is available to an AMP youth age 16 and older who is served by one of the 13 AMP Councils across Iowa. Youth participating in the Iowa Aftercare Services Network are also eligible.

*Applications are currently being accepted, the application is found on our home page!