Adolescent Education Services

DCF College Fair

• Start thinking about college early! DCF holds an annual College Fair to get foster youth thinking about post-secondary education as early as middle school. All students in foster care are encouraged to attend this yearly event, typically held during April school vacation week. Students will be able to meet with college admission officers to learn about academic supports, activities, and resources available through community colleges, private colleges, state universities, and the UMass system. Information on financial aid resources will also be available. For more information please contact your social worker.

DCF Area Office Educational Open Houses

• Planning for college can lead to many questions, especially for foster youth and foster parents. What is the FAFSA? How much does college cost? Where would I live? What happens to my case with DCF? DCF is here to help with those questions and many more that come up during this time of college planning. Each winter, after the New Year every DCF Area Office (28 locations) holds an open house that is staffed by an Adolescent Outreach who will meet with you to answer all your vital questions. Adolescent Outreach workers offer information on the FAFSA, financial aid planning, the admissions process, and DCF academic and financial support that can lead to a successful higher education experience.

On Campus College Advising and Support

• Every semester DCF holds on campus advising sessions across the State for foster youth. Networks of support have been built on campuses all across Massachusetts to include financial aid staff, student accounts, housing, health services and counseling and much more. Students have the opportunity to meet with a ETV Worker to review any and all topics related to their education. DCF continues to recruit ongoing supports on campus so that all foster youth have access to a caring and compassionate staff person who is always on their campus to help. If you are looking for a support person on campus DCF can help you find one while also connecting you to other DCF resources. On campus and online virtual advising sessions have been a great way for foster youth to connect and receive support. For more information on when a DCF ETV Social Worker may be on your campus or to schedule a virtual appointment, please email youth.support@mass.gov.

DCF Student ETV e-Newsletter

• The ETV newsletter is an opportunity to engage students and assist them in their academic and personal growth on campus. The newsletter is sent out twice a year to students with information on financial aid, scholarships, community partnerships, and campus resources. Up to date information on adolescent services within the Department of Children and Families is also provided to students. The ETV newsletter allows communication between students and ETV specialists throughout the year, providing them with support during their academic development. To subscribe to the Student ETV e-Newsletter please email youth.support@mass.gov.

• FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
   
• FAFSA Day Massachusetts (A College Goal Sunday Program) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven program providing FREE assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
   
• Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
   
• College Navigator, an online college search tool by US Department of Education that provides general institutional information regarding admission requirements, academic progress, graduation rates, average net price, and loan default rates.
   
• Federal Student Aid an Office of the U.S. Department of Education provides information on all the federal financial aid programs.
   
• U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Toolkit provides financial aid information and resources for counselors and educators.
   
• MEFA, The Massachusetts Education Finance Authority for School Counselors provides you the tools and trainings you need to advise clients on early college planning, college admissions, and college financing.