Bridging Success Program
Every year, about 800 children in Arizona age out of foster care. In an effort to support these young adults, Maricopa Community Colleges—in partnership with the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust—has created the Bridging Success Program, which provides educational opportunities to support the successful transition to adulthood.
Bridging the Divide Between Foster Care and Higher Education
As part of its growing services to students who have experienced foster care, Maricopa Community Colleges seeks to provide student support that engages the community, aligns with existing programs and resources, and increases college access.
The Bridging Success Program Focuses On:
- Connecting students to college and community resources, including funding to pursue post secondary opportunities
- Assisting students in overcoming obstacles by connecting them to mentoring, tutoring, and coaching resources
- Providing academic and workforce opportunities (short term training, employment opportunities, major selection, etc.)
Become Part of Our Community
Are you interested in becoming part of the Bridging Success community at Maricopa Community Colleges? If so, please submit an inquiry and you will be contacted by a college Champion.
If you have questions about the Bridging Success Program at Maricopa Community Colleges, please contact Allison Goodwin at allison.goodwin@domail.maricopa.edu.
Connect With a Champion at Your College
Trained staff and faculty at each college are aware of the challenges that someone who is aging out of foster care may face. We call these staff and faculty members Champions, as they are committed to helping students take the next step in their education and advocating for their success.
There are Champions on your campus ready to provide the support you need. Reach out to them if you have questions about admissions, advising, career exploration, financial aid, tutoring, transportation, and other campus services. We are here to help you succeed in your educational dreams!
Click on your college to see the list of champions at your campus:
Resources to Help You Succeed
Basic Needs
Maricopa Community Colleges is committed to the success of our students, and we understand that basic needs have a direct impact on their well-being. Basic needs include food, housing, transportation, wellness, and other important services.
Financial Aid
A wide range of student aid is available to help pay for your education. Many students enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program use a blend of financial aid such as student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study to fund their education.
Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
You have many options for getting funding to help pay for all or part of your education, though you must apply and prove that you are eligible for each of them.
Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can complete your FAFSA as early as October 1 for the next school year (for example, filling it out on October 1, 2022, for the school year starting in August 2023). It will determine how much assistance you are eligible for and whether it includes grants, scholarships, loans, or a combination of these (see below for more on these types of funds).
Important: Make note of your new FSA ID and password in a place you can find it again. Also, make sure you use an email address that you will have access to once you graduate high school.
You may be eligible and can apply for two educational support programs: the Arizona Tuition Waiver and the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program. You can find the application and eligibility requirements for both on the Foster Care to Success website.
On the FAFSA, question 53 asks whether “At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?” You can answer “Yes” if you were in foster care, a group home, or a kinship placement any time after you turned 13. You will still need to provide official documentation to support your answer.
The FAFSA will determine whether you will be considered a dependent or independent student and how much financial aid you will qualify for. If you selected “Yes” for having been in foster care after the age of 13, you will be considered an independent student and will not have to provide any information about your parents or guardian, even if you returned home before you turned 18. You will most likely qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid offered to students; however, you must still prove that you are eligible for it. There are only certain documents your school can accept as proof. If you run into difficulty or do not understand what is being asked of you, ask your assigned College Champion for help. You will not receive any of your financial aid until you complete the verification process.
There are several possible reasons for this:
- The Arizona Tuition Waiver is applied after all grants and scholarships have been applied. If they have covered all your tuition and mandatory fees, the Arizona Tuition Waiver will not be applied.
- The program you are in is not accredited.
- You are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.
- You are attending a private college or university, not a public one.