DCFS Accepting Applications for 2025 Scholarships

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is accepting applications for the 2025 DCFS Scholarship Program, which will award a minimum of 53 scholarships to current and former youth in care. These scholarships include tuition waivers for up to five years, a monthly grant of $1,577, and a medical card, aiming to alleviate financial burdens as these youths transition to higher education. Governor JB Pritzker emphasized the importance of supporting these students, particularly after a record 334 scholarships were awarded in 2024. In a related initiative, the Illinois House is considering the KIND Act, which prioritizes relative placements for children in foster care, potentially allowing DCFS to access federal funds for relative caregivers. This bill aims to reduce trauma for children by keeping them connected with their families. Advocates believe that the KIND Act will improve the living situations for foster children by facilitating placements with known relatives.