PATH Scholars Program Description
Maximize your impact! Thanks to generous donations from Bob & Becky Stofa ($1,000) and Carol Baker ($10,000) all gifts to PATH Scholars will be matched 2 to 1 up to $11,000! (That means if you give $10, PATH Scholars will receive $30 total!)
It is estimated that only 10% of the annual 25,000 vulnerable youth that exit foster care enroll in college, with only 4% earning a bachelor’s degree. These students require resources due to circumstances such as little to no family support, a lack of healthy role models, insufficient financial means, unstable housing, and low academic self-perception.
PATH Scholar students are pursuing their post-secondary education despite the many odds stacked against them. These students continue to demonstrate their grit and resiliency as they persevere through various disruptions during their college career. PATH Scholars aims to offer support to this student population to help them navigate through financial, academic and social struggles. In addition to support, mentorship, encouragement, and critical information sharing, PATH Scholars also provides students with an opportunity to connect with other students who have similar experiences. All of this support promotes a sense of empowerment, acceptance and belonging, which ultimately leads to graduation.
Support PATH Scholars!
PATH Scholars supports the educational goals of students with a foster care and/or unaccompanied homeless experience. We strive to assist 100% of our students through to graduation.
"PATH Scholars helped me a lot throughout the year, and without them my first year might have been my last." -PATH Scholar alum
How will donations be used?
Arriving to college
- $95 Covers the cost of one student to attend the University's New Student Orientation
- $75 Provides one new student a “Welcome Basket” care package with a few first-year essentials
Staying in college
- $50 Covers the cost of one student to attend a social activity to build their support system (i.e. Pumpkin Patch/Haunted Corn Maze trip, holiday dinner celebration, etc.)
- $500 Provides one student with emergency funds
- $2500 Sponsors one PATH Scholar student to work alongside program staff and supplement their financial income for one semester
Graduation
- $100 Covers graduation related costs for one student
- $100 Supports one student with costs related to applying to graduate school
Why are donations necessary?
Our students lack a basic "safety net" that other students may have. PATH Scholars intervenes in that area, with emergency funds for unexpected expenses that arise as a college student. Donations also allow students to establish a sense of community and belonging by engaging in social activities.
Established in 2014, PATH Scholars is dedicated to the higher educational needs of students with a foster care and/or unaccompanied homeless background. With donor support, students in the program are able to access necessary school and living supplies, emergency grants, workshops to strengthen their academic skills, and social events to boost their sense of belonging.