ESSENTIAL EDUCATION
We’re here to support you every step of the way so you can graduate from a two or four year college program or with a master’s degree. With relationships and resources critical to your success, College Bound provides tools and technology like laptops and printers as well as community connections to help you overcome any obstacle on your way to graduation day. We can also help you navigate opportunities to study aboard and set up paid internships in your field of interest.
College Bound
College Bound offers youth enrolled in two-year or four-year educational programs the resources, technology, tools, connections, and encouragement to succeed in college and beyond.
How Does It Work?
During our College Bound event, youth receive everything they need to start the school year off successfully: a laptop and printer, ink cartridges, a shopping spree for school and dorm supplies, and a personal coach to help guide them along their college journey! They also get to network, gain insights from professionals on topics such as saving and money management, hear from past College Bound participants about their journeys, and engage with a panel of graduates regarding what to expect in the years ahead.
All College Bound participants are also eligible to receive Learning to Succeed support to help overcome obstacles along the way. Learning to Succeed focuses on five key priorities to keep students enrolled and engaged all the way to graduation: stable housing (rent assistance for those not residing in dorms), academic confidence (tutoring and help with academic expenses), hard time working and going to school (access to jobs, income supplements, and financial literacy training), access to reliable transportation (bus/trolley passes, gas cards, access to low interest auto loans), and connections to a strong network of peer and adult support.
Requirements
To participate in College Bound, you must:
- Be a current or former foster youth between ages 18-26
- Be enrolled in a two-year or four-year college program
- Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher from high school or previous college studies
- Be available to attend a College Bound event in June
How Do I Join?
The annual College Bound event happens in June, but inquiries are welcome year-round. Click here to fill out our College Bound interest form, or contact our Youth Services team at 760-505-6647 or youthservices@jitfosteryouth.org to get started.
MASTER YOUR DREAM
No educational goal should be out of reach. That’s why JIT offers students interested in pursuing Master’s programs and other postgraduate studies the opportunity to continue their educational journey through Master Your Dream scholarships and resources.
How Does It Work?
Master Your Dream sponsors help us provide financial support and other resources to participants enrolled in or accepted to accredited not-for-profit university graduate schools. Each student who is accepted into Master Your Dream is eligible to receive $3,000 in scholarship funds per academic year.
Requirements
To be eligible for Master Your Dream, you must:
- Be a former or current foster youth
- Be enrolled in or accepted to a postgraduate program
- Stay enrolled for the entire duration of your postgraduate studies and maintain a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Submit transcripts and testimonials as needed
How Do I Join?
JITERNSHIPS
Internships are a great opportunity to gain experiential learning and get a feeling of what it’s like to work in a specific field. They are also commonly required for certain majors and career fields. The challenge is that internships are usually unpaid or do not meet the financial needs of a young adult who is supporting themselves. Just in Time’s JITernships bridge the financial gap by providing monetary support during a low or no-pay internship period.
How Does It Work?
JITernships provide financial assistance to help participants with their living expenses while they work an unpaid or low-paying internship. Participants work with JIT staff on a budget and plan to determine how much support may be provided and how it will be allocated. The financial needs of each participant are taken into consideration as well as the length of the internship, with a cap of $3,000 for a year-long internship. Funds are dispersed on a bi-weekly basis once a participant is officially accepted into their internship.
Requirements
To apply for a JITernship, you must:
- Be accepted to an internship that does not meet your financial needs
- Be enrolled part-time or full-time in a college institution
- Submit a description of the internship from the employer
- Be able to present pay stubs, a monthly budget, rent/bill statements, and a personal statement
- We willing to provide updates about your progress every two weeks
How Do I Join?
