College Choice Program

Welcome to the application form for the College Choice Program, an initiative from NYC’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), in partnership with The New York Foundling.

College Choice supports youth in foster care who are attending college full-time. The following benefits are available for students who meet the eligibility criteria. Please see the College Choice Program Summary Sheet for complete program details including eligibility requirements.

Program Benefits:

o Tutoring, College and Academic Advisement, and Career Counseling offered through The New York Foundling’s College Choice Support Services (formerly known as Fostering College Success Initiative (FCSI))

o Year-round housing costs, up to $30,000, are covered by ACS for you to live:

• On campus at your college/university, or
• In a CUNY dorm or private dorm (for students attending schools in NYC or online classes), or
• In safe off-campus housing with a private landlord (students attending schools outside of NYC)

o Tuition costs and related fees, up to $15,000, are covered by ACS, after all eligible financial aid is applied (FAFSA, TAP, ETV, FYCSI)  

o $60/day stipend to cover the cost of food and other college living expenses, which students can receive while in school and for up to 6 months after graduating with a degree
 

Application Deadline

The Spring 2026 College Choice Program application will open on Monday, November 17th, 2025. Current College Choice Program participants as well as new students must complete the application form and submit all required documentation to be considered for the program. 

• November 17, 2025 – Application Opens
• January 9, 2026 – FINAL Deadline for all College Choice Program applicants. Application portal closes at midnight.

*The College Choice Program will be offering workshops/tutorials throughout the application period (November 2025 to January 2026) for students and foster care agencies who need assistance navigating the application portal
 

Required Documents 

All students applying to the College Choice Program are required to provide the following documentation as part of their application:

o College/University enrollment letter

o Bursar bill with financial aid/awards applied

o ETV Award Letter (applicable if attending college in New York City/New York state) 

o Full-time course schedule for the upcoming semester

• If not enrolled full-time, student must submit a formal letter from the student’s college/university advisor that explains why the student is attending less than full-time

o Up-to-date college transcript (for continuing college students) and transcript(s) from any previously attended college/university

• If not meeting the 2.0 GPA requirement, student must submit an Academic Success Plan developed with their college/university advisor that outlines tasks/steps they will take to improve academically

o College of attendance academic calendar

o For students residing in or planning to reside in Private Off Campus Housing:

• A signed lease (only sign leases AFTER you are approved for College Choice) 
• An invoice from the landlord

o For students applying for the 6 months Post-Graduation stipend:

• A copy of your final transcript
• A copy of your diploma

If you would like to see a sample documents package, please click here

Please Note: Students are expected to resubmit their college/university enrollment letter on a regular basis. It is the student’s responsibility to remain up to date on deadlines.

Thank you for your interest in the College Choice Program! We look forward to reviewing your application!

For College Choice Program information and FAQ's, click here. 

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