Pitt Horizon Scholars

Broadening Horizons while Empowering Youth!

The Pitt Horizon Scholars program is an initiative designed to provide comprehensive support to youth and young adults who have experienced the child welfare system and are prospective or current Pitt students, guiding them to and through their educational journey at Pitt.

This collaborative effort is led by the Educational Outreach Center and the Office of the Provost, in conjunction with the School of Public Health, School of Social Work, and Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

This campus support program aims to tackle the distinctive challenges faced by Horizon Scholars that impede persistence, retention, and graduation.

Program Eligibility

Prospective students have two pathways to becoming Horizon Scholars:

  • Pathway 1: Students who were in the foster care system at 16 years of age or older will receive support services and may qualify for additional financial aid and support including the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver and/or the Chafee Education and Training Program.
  • Pathway 2: Students who were in the foster care system for any given amount of time but did not age out of the system will receive campus support services. This includes students who were adjudicated dependent prior to the age of 13.

Required documentation includes:

Complete Horizon Scholars Program Application

Key components of the application include:

  • Student demographic information
  • Student contact information
  • Current school details
  • Emergency contact information
  • Contact information for support professionals:
    • Caseworker
    • Educational liaison
    • Guardian ad litem

Legal Documentation

Legal documentation may be required from the court system or state foster agency.

Please note that all Horizon Scholars must maintain regular involvement and communication with EOC Team to remain active in the program.

Partners

How to Get Involved

Help us to continue to raise awareness of the Horizon Scholars by supporting the program in three ways.

  1. Sign up to be a mentor/support team member: Mentors and support team members will be assigned to a Pitt Horizon Scholar. As a trusted mentor and support team member, you will provide your time and expertise in many anticipated ways including but not limited to: supporting basic skills, celebrating life’s events, helping Pitt Horizon Scholars with moving in and out of dorms, offering an encouraging word and sound advice, and more. Each student will have a team of mentors/support team members.
     
  2. Donate to the Horizon Scholars Student Resource Fund: The monies collected will be used to offset the cost of attendance. Although tuition is covered through state and institutional funding, the cost of attendance—including housing, meal plans, books, hygiene items, food not included in the meal plan, clothing, etc.—are left to the student.
     
  3. Spread the word! Please consider sharing this important initiative so that others can get involved. Pitt Horizon Scholars are students who, through no fault of their own, are facing challenges that often prohibit their ability to see a path forward to an education. Removing some of the financial barriers and providing a strong support system will ensure that Pitt Horizon Scholars have what they need to achieve student success.

Video Gallery

 

The Opportunity Gap

This infographic from the Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research conveys data and a call to action regarding higher education and youth with foster care experience. (Click image to enlarge.)

The Opportunity Gap infographic
Used with permission of the Field Center for Children's Policy, Practice & Research.
Access text version of infographic.