Welcome, and thank you for your interest in The nsoro Educational Foundation.

We provide direct academic scholarships, executive-level coaching, mentorship, and workforce readiness programs for youth aging out of foster care nationwide. All youth currently in foster care, aged out, and emancipated youth are encouraged to apply.

Please take a moment to review the guidelines and eligibility criteria outlined below. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us at (770) 881-7360 or email jamie@nsoro.foundation

The 2026-2027 Scholarship Application will open on December 29, 2025, and close on March 15, 2026. 

Eligibility Criteria Applicants must:

  • Certify that they are currently in foster care, a ward of the state, or eligible for ILP, having aged out of foster care as a young adult.
  • Be a high school graduate or equivalent with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Have been accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or another post-secondary school.
  • We support youth ages 16-26.  You must be under the age of 26 at the time you submit your application. 
  • Be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

Scholarship Guidelines

  • Scholarships are announced annually on May 31. Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to retain scholarships. Recipients will receive a notification via email at the email address provided in their application.
  • Scholarship disbursements are sent directly to the academic institution.
  • Applicants must obtain three letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, or community leaders. The letters must include a brief description of the relationship with the applicant. They should address why the applicant deserves a scholarship, describing specific abilities, skills, or attributes that exemplify excellence in their school or community. 
  • Applicants must submit an official high school or college transcript. 
  • The applicant must provide documentation that they are currently placed in foster care by the state court system or that they "aged out" of the foster care system and have not been adopted. (Must be a court document or letter from a caseworker or ILS)

FOR CURRENT NSORO SCHOLARS | You do not have to reapply. 

Please submit the following documents 

1. AWARD PACKAGE SUMMARY

2. STUDENT BILL

3. UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

4. CLASS SCHEDULE 

Submission Deadlines & Disbursement Dates:

Fall Term: Submit Forms Between July 15 - August 31. All awards will be disbursed by September 30.

Spring Term: Submit Forms Between December 15 - January  31  All awards will be disbursed by February 28.

Summer Term: Submit Forms Between April 15 - May 31 All awards will be disbursed by June 30.

Pre Disbursement Letters will be sent on Fridays. This letter will be sent to you and your academic institution with the amount you will receive for the semester. (The following week after your submission) 

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SUBMIT to 2026-2027 nsoroTHRIVES Scholarship Application

2026–2027 nsoro Foundation Scholarship Application

APPLICATION TIMELINE 

The 2026–2027 nsoro Foundation Scholarship Application opens on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and closes on March 15, 2026.

All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM on March 15, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Be currently placed in foster care OR formerly in foster care as a ward of the state and eligible for Independent Living Program (ILP) services, having aged out of foster care as a young adult.
  • Be a high school graduate or GED recipient with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Have been accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college, university, or other postsecondary institution.
  • Be under the age of 26 at the time of application, unless the applicant has previously received scholarship funding from The nsoro Educational Foundation.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

APPLICATION DEADLINE 

March 15, 2026

SCHOLARSHIP GUIDELINES

  • Scholarship recipients must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to remain eligible for funding.
  • Scholarship awards are announced annually on May 15. Applicants will be notified via the email address provided in their application.
  • Scholarship funds may be used for tuition and fees, books and academic supplies, room and board, transportation, and food.
  • All scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the academic institution.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS 

All required materials must be uploaded for an application to be considered complete.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (2 REQUIRED) 

Applicants must upload two letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, or community leaders. Each letter must:

  • Describe the recommender’s relationship to the applicant.
  • Explain why the applicant deserves a scholarship.
  • Highlight specific skills, strengths, or qualities that demonstrate excellence in school, work, or community involvement.

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT 

Applicants must upload an official high school or college transcript. The application must also include the school registrar’s name and contact information.

Applications will not be reviewed without complete registrar information.

FOSTER CARE VERIFICATION 

Applicants must upload documentation verifying that they are currently in foster care OR that they aged out of the foster care system and were not adopted.

Acceptable documentation includes a court document or an official letter from a caseworker or Independent Living Services (ILS) provider.

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SUBMIT to Current Scholars ONLY | Spring 2026 Scholarship Request

FOR CURRENT nsoro SCHOLARS | You do not have to reapply. You must have at least a 2.0 GPA. be 26 and under, and enrolled at an accredited institution to receive funding. Please submit the following documents (AWARD PACKAGE SUMMARY, STUDENT BILL, UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT, AND CLASS SCHEDULE) during the dates below: Submission Deadlines & Disbursement Dates:  

  1. Fall Term: Submit Forms Between July 15 - August 31  > All awards will be disbursed by September 30th.
  2. Spring Term: Submit Forms Between Dec 15 - January  31 > All awards will be disbursed by February 28th.
  3. Summer Term: Submit Forms Between April 15 - May 31> All awards will be disbursed by June 30th.

Pre-Disbursement Letters will be sent to your school. This letter will be sent to you and your institution with the amount you will be receiving for the semester.

All disbursements will be paid online.

SUBMIT to Emergency Request Form

At nsoro, we understand that unexpected challenges can arise, and we are here to support you during these moments. If you are a nsoro or nsoroWORKS scholar needing temporary assistance—whether for essentials like transportation, food, or other urgent needs—we encourage you to complete this form.

Our team is committed to reviewing emergency requests as quickly as possible. Once your form is submitted, we will follow up within two (2) business days. We are here to help, and your well-being matters deeply.

Emergency Request Form Submissions will be reviewed weekly on the following schedule:

  • Monday- 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday- 3:00 PM
  • Friday- 12:00 PM

For immediate health or safety concerns, please call 911.

Here are additional resources:

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

You are not alone—we want to help you navigate this moment.

Sincerely,

Team nsoro

The nsoro Educational Foundation