Spring 2025 Application Overview

Welcome to the application form for the College Choice Program, an initiative from NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), in partnership with The New York Foundling.

College Choice supports youth in foster care who are attending college full-time. The following benefits are available for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the College Choice Program Summary Sheet for complete program details including eligibility requirements.

Program Benefits

Support Services Available

Tutoring, Advising, and Career Counseling offered through The New York Foundling’s Fostering College Success Initiative (FCSI)

Housing Costs Covered

Year-round housing costs covered by ACS for you to live:

On campus at your college/university, or
In a CUNY dorm or private dorm (for students attending schools in NYC or in online classes), or
In safe off-campus housing with a private landlord (students attending schools outside of NYC)

Tuition Costs Covered

Tuition costs and related fees covered by ACS, after all eligible financial aid is applied.

Direct Cash Assistance

The $60/day direct cash assistance to cover the cost of food and other college living expenses, which students can receive while in school and for up to 6 months after graduating with a degree

Application Deadline

The Spring 2025 College Choice Program application will open on Monday, November 18th, 2024. Current College Choice Program participants as well as new students must complete the application form and submit all required documentation to be considered for the program. Please see the College Choice Program Timeline for application deadlines and other required due dates.

November 18^th, 2024: College Choice Program application opens for Spring 2025
December 2^nd, 2024: Priority Deadline for College Choice Program applicants. By applying for the priority deadline this ensures your documents will be reviewed first.
January 6^th, 2025: Deadline for all College Choice Program applicants. Application portal closes at midnight. This is the absolute last day to submit an application. No applications will be accepted after this deadline.

*The College Choice Program will be offering workshops/tutorials during the month of November for students and foster care agencies who need assistance navigating the application portal.

Required Documents

All students applying to the College Choice Program are required to provide the following documentation as part of their application:

College/university enrollment letter (See a sample here)
Full-time course schedule for the upcoming semester (See a sample here)
- If not full-time, student must submit a formal letter from the student’s college/university advisor that explains why the student is attending less than full-time
Up-to-date college transcript (for continuing college students) and transcript(s) from any previously attended college/university (See a sample here)
- If not meeting the 2.0 GPA requirement, student must submit an Academic Success Plan developed with their college/university advisor that outlines tasks/steps they will take to improve academically
College of attendance academic calendar (See a sample here)
Bursar bill with financial aid/awards applied (See a sample here)
For students living in private off-campus housing, a signed lease with their landlord outlining terms and fees and an invoice (See a sample here)
For students applying for the 6 months post-graduation stipend, a copy of their final college transcript and diploma are required

Sample Document Package

If you would like to see a sample documents package, please click here.

Please Note: Students are expected to resubmit their college/university enrollment letter on a regular basis. Due dates are provided in the College Choice Program Timeline document and students will be reminded each month. It is the student’s responsibility to remain up-to-date on deadlines. Please be aware that a student’s stipend does not begin until they receive official approval from the College Choice Program.

Thank you for your interest in the College Choice Program! We look forward to reviewing your application!

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