The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently accepting applications for the 2024 DCFS Scholarship Program.
A minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year. The scholarships are available to youth who have an open DCFS case, whose cases were closed through adoption or guardianship or who aged out of care at 18 or older. Youth who are at least 16 years of age can apply.
Four awards are reserved for the children of Veterans and two are reserved for students pursuing degrees in social work, in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas — two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie has pursued legislation in honor of Pamela Knight and Deirdre Silas, to protect current and future social workers especially those at DCFS, and will continue fighting for them in the legislature.
McCombie encourages those interested to apply for this scholarship opportunity by the March 31 deadline. With questions, applicants or caregivers may call the DCFS Office of Education and Transition Services at 217-557-2689 or email DCFS.Scholarship@illinois.gov.