Press Release
The University of Utah First Star Academy and Impact Scholars Program receives a matching grant from the Community Foundation of Utah to pilot the Impact Scholars program.
The University of Utah First Star Academy and Impact Scholars Program received a $30,000 matching grant over three years from the Community Foundation of Utah. The grant will help further the Impact Scholars Program mission of increasing enrollment, retention and graduation rates of foster care alums accepted into the University of Utah or Salt Lake Community College by funding mentorship, holistic advising and community-building events.
“The matching grant from the Community Foundation will enable young adults who have experienced foster care to overcome the barriers that so often prevent access to or completion of higher education. First Star and Impact Scholars is so grateful to the Community Foundation for their support, and to the Utah Association of Financial Services and the donors who participated in U Giving Day for matching year one funding,” says Alexa Hudson, Director.
Less than fifty percent of youth in foster care graduate high school, and less than ten percent enroll in higher education. Of that ten percent, only three percent graduate. Research shows that scholarships alone only somewhat improve college graduation rates. A support system is equally critical. This is especially true for youth who have experienced foster care, as this community often faces housing and food insecurity, isolation and a history of trauma. The Impact Scholars Program provides one such support system through holistic advising, access to resources and community, and mentorship. By assisting foster care alums to enroll and graduate from higher education, the Impact Scholars Program aims to improve educational outcomes for youth in foster care in Utah.
Contact
Alexa Hudson, Director
The University of Utah First Star Academy and Impact Scholars Program
(801) 581-8921
alexa.hudson@utah.edu
About First Star and Impact Scholars
The University of Utah First Star Academy is part of a national network of non-profit
First Star Academies that supports high school youth in foster care to graduate high
school and enroll in higher education. Of First Star graduates, 99% graduate high
school and 88% enroll in college. The pilot Impact Scholars Program strives to increase
enrollment, retention and graduation rates of foster care alums studying at the University
of Utah or Salt Lake Community College through community-building, mentorship, holistic
advising and scholarships. For more information, go to https://firststar.utah.edu or https://impactscholars.utah.edu, or email firststar@utah.edu or impactscholars@utah.edu.