Adoptions From The Heart understands that struggles often don’t end after placement and that counseling and support services are vital after placement to help birth parents get back on their feet. Over the past 30 years, AFTH social workers have been working with expecting and birth parents who are hoping to pursue further education after placement to improve their lives and follow their passion but often times financial obstacles may stand in their way. AFTH established the Birth Parent Scholarship Fund in 2014 as a way to help.
“When I found out that I was pregnant, I felt as though my dreams of becoming a nurse were out of the question. After placing my child through Adoptions From The Heart, I realized just how important it is to get an education. AFTH helped me get there. I am now an RN, at a children’s hospital, doing what I love.”
Upcoming Deadline – July 1st
We are currently accepting applications for the 2018 fall semester. Candidates must submit their paperwork and support documents by July 1st to be considered for a scholarship for the fall.
Scholarship Eligibility
Educational scholarships can be used for trade school or for undergraduate studies. The Scholarship Fund is not limited to birthparents who placed through AFTH.
Eligible candidates:
- Placed a child for adoption since 1985
- Have been accepted into a college or trade school
- Show financial need
- Submit an essay regarding their personal adoption story and education goals
- Scholarship winners who maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher are able to re-apply for the scholarship for up to eight semesters.
“Amy, one of our past scholarship winners described her success from continuing her education after placement, “Making an adoption plan was the hardest decision of my life, but choosing to better myself so my daughter has someone to look up to was the easiest. Achieving my goal of getting a degree made me a better person.”
How Does AFTH Choose Recipients?
Qualified and complete applications received by the submission deadline will be presented to our Board of Directors’ Scholarship Committee. All sections of the application will be taken into consideration. Twice a year, the Scholarship Committee will meet to review the applications for that semester. They will then choose the winnings applicant(s) who will then be notified. Unfortunately, not every applicant will be awarded a scholarship.
PLEASE NOTE: Expecting parents should know that choosing adoption for your baby does not guarantee a scholarship will be awarded. The number and amount of scholarships awarded each semester varies based on the number of applicants and need.
How Can I Apply?
To apply online, visit www.afth.org/pregnant/birthparent-scholarships. Make sure to submit your application and provide all the necessary documents by the July 1st deadline.
How Can I Support The AFTH Scholarship Fund
If you would like to make a donation in support of the Scholarship Fund, please visit www.afth.org/donate. Whether you’d like to give $10 or $1,000, every dollar of your donation will go directly to fund a scholarship.
Changing Lives One Semester at a Time
From mathematics and conflict management, to communication and assisting at-risk youth, the scholarship winners are working hard to pursue their dreams and make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others.
“I needed the scholarship to finish my last three semesters. As an environmental soil major, I want to work internationally to help farmers create more sustainable practices for agriculture, to help small villages and those who are struggling. I am now one step closer to achieving that dream and it would have been so much harder for me without the scholarship from Adoptions From The Heart.” – T.
Heather, an AFTH birthmother, gave us a call to action when speaking at one of our fundraising events: “We, as birthmothers, also want to prove to you that we can make it, that we’re good and kind and smart. Remind us of that; help us heal by helping ourselves. Please give whatever it is you can to the Birth Parent Scholarship Fund, it will provide us with the very thing we try to instill in our children. Show us that you support us in everything we do and set out to accomplish. We want you to be proud of us too.”
