FOCUS FORWARD
Financial help for post-secondary education students currently or previously in foster care in Arizona, ages 16 to 26 years.
Focus Forward Fund: Supporting Foster Care Students
The AFFCF Focus Forward Fund helps students with foster care backgrounds address the curveballs life throws at you so you can keep moving forward on your educational journeys. So, when your car breaks down or you need extra help paying for textbooks, it doesn’t stop your forward progress. These funds are not intended to be used for long-term, ongoing expenses.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive assistance through the Forward Focus Fund, you must:
- Have reached age 16 as a ward of the court in Arizona or in tribal foster care in Arizona (AFFCF confirms eligibility with the appropriate agency once a student submits an application.)
- Be enrolled in college or a vocational program (must be enrolled in post-secondary education, not dually enrolled in high school)
- Be age 16 to 26 years
- Complete a budget form to show sources of income and expenses.
Active employment is preferred when considering requests, but all requests will be reviewed and discussed on a case-by-case basis.
FORWARD FOCUS FUND GUIDELINES
All funding request will require reasonable and relevant cost documentation to be uploaded to the application.
Educational
Campus Parking Pass
Up to $790 once in a 12-month period. Students can only apply if parking pass charge remains on student account after all financial aid has been processed. Proof of cost of parking pass and vehicle ownership required. Paid by check payable to college/university or paid online to the college/university.
Graduation Expenses
Up to $500. Funding for graduation application fees (if applicable), graduation attire, graduation regalia (cap, gown, tassel) and graduation photos. Paid by check payable to the vendor(s) or by online payment to the vendor(s).
GRE/LSAT/MCAT Prep Course
Up to $2,000 one time. This funding category is to assist students or graduates in preparing to take the GRE, MCAT or LSAT exam. Paid by check payable to the vendor or online to the vendor.
Laptop
Up to $1,000 one time. If a student is pursuing a certificate program less than one year in length, the maximum amount that can be funded for a laptop is $600. AFFCF will not consider requests for tablets, gaming laptops or refurbished laptops. Paid by check or online to vendor.
Membership Organization Fees
Up to $500 per semester. To allow post-secondary students to join and/or continue participation in a college or university membership organization, such as an honor society, major interest-specific student organization (ex: student business association), or a fraternity or sorority. Paid by check or online to vendor.
On-Campus Deposits
One time up to $400. To secure on-campus housing (paying a housing deposit and/or a housing rent confirmation payment). Funding will not be provided for college enrollment fees or housing deposits that can be deferred to be paid via financial aid. Paid by check payable to the college/university.
Outstanding Tuition Balance
Up to $1,000 one time. This funding category is only available to students whose outstanding tuition balance is preventing them from re-enrolling at the same institution. Paid by check payable to institution.
Study Abroad Costs
Up to $1,000 for unmet study abroad program costs or 50% of cost of study abroad airfare (up to $1,000). Study abroad program must be a program that students will earn college credits for completing. Student must have the majority of the study abroad program costs already covered by other funding sources. AFFCF funding will only be applied as a final funding source up to $1,000. AFFCF will consider half of the cost of study abroad airfare (up to $1,000). Paid by check to the institution or reimbursement to student for up to 50% of cost of airfare purchase only after a student has applied and been approved.
Textbooks
Up to $500 per semester.* Paid by check payable to the bookstore or online to the bookstore.
*College students receiving the Pell Grant must request their Pell Grant book advance before the start of the semester with which to purchase textbooks. If you are not aware of how to request your Pell Grant book advance, please contact Erika Klotz at eklotz@affcf.org for guidance.
Transfer Student Application Fee
Up to $100 one time. This funding category only applies to college application fees for transfer students as those application fees cannot be waived. Paid by check payable to the institution or paid online to the institution.
Vocational Program Supplies
Up to $500. For post-secondary students studying vocational certificate programs who are in need of supplies specific to the program (i.e., scrubs for a CNA program, welding supplies for a welding program, etc.) Paid by check payable to the vendor or by online payment to the vendor.
Vocational Tuition/Fees
Up to $2,500 per semester. This funding category is only available to students who are either studying a certificate program that is not eligible for federal financial aid or for students whose certificate program costs are not fully covered by the Pell grant and/or ETV funds (i.e., certified nursing programs, medical assistant certificate programs, cosmetology programs, etc.). Paid by check payable to the institution or paid online to the institution.
YOUR CHARITABLE DONATION CAN HELP
Living Expenses
Auto Repairs
Tow costs and auto repairs up to $1,000/one time in a 12-month period. Paid by check payable to the vendor.
Car Insurance Payment
Up to $500 once in a 12-month period. Paid by check payable to the insurance company or paid online to the insurance company.
Deposits
One time up to $1,500. Funds for establishing an apartment, including security and utility deposits. Paid by check payable to apartment complex/landlord.
Gas
Up to $100 per month/one time in a 12-month period. Paid with gift card.
Grocery Assistance
Up to $250 one time in a 12-month period. Paid with gift card to a grocery store (please indicate Fry’s, Safeway, Food City, etc. as the vendor on the application.). AFFCF cannot provide a gift card to a big box store like Target or Walmart.
Rent
Up to $1,200 for one month of rent one time in a 12-month period. Paid by check payable to the apartment complex/landlord or paid online to the apartment complex/landlord.
Utilities/Internet Service
Up to $250 one time in a 12-month period. Paid by check payable to the utility company or by online payment to the utility company.
YOUR CHARITABLE DONATION CAN HELP
FORWARD FOCUS FUND APPLICATION
WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY
Be sure to have the following items ready to complete your Focus Forward Fund request:
- Proof of enrollment in post-secondary college or an accredited vocational training program
- Proof of current employment (if applicable)
- A new budget form is required for each new application. Applicants can download the budget form from the Focus Forward application below.
- Most recent unofficial transcript if student is already attending a university, college or vocational school at the time of request (Determines eligibility only; funding is not based on grades.)
- A description of the need to help AFFCF understand the situation and other ways to help
REQUEST LIMITATIONS
Students can make up to two requests per quarter of the year. A student cannot request the same category more than once in a 12-month period unless otherwise stated. Please see the category guidelines for additional information on request limitations.
The AFFCF Focus Forward Fund committee reviews requests as they are submitted. All payments are made payable to the vendor or reimbursed for purchases made AFTER the request has been approved. No funds are available for purchases that have been made before an application is submitted and approved.
Typical turnaround time for Focus Forward funding is two to five business days.