You must:

1. Meet with your IL Coordinator to verify your eligibility and demonstrate financial need

2. Be enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program

3. Apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form

4. Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA each term

5. Submit the required documentation for consideration:

6. Award letter from FAFSA application (each year)

7. Academic transcript showing grades and GPA from the most recently completed semester/term

8. Course schedule for the upcoming semester/term

9. Financial document(s) including a detailed budget worksheet showing income and expenses

10. Supporting documentation for related expenses (e.g. current rental/lease agreement)

Notes:

• Financial aid awards (e.g. Federal Pell Grants) will be applied to the cost of attendance before Brighter Star scholarship awards.

• All documentation submitted must be CLEARLY READABLE and COMPLETE. Screenshots or partial documents will not be accepted and may result in delays.

• Falling below the GPA requirement may mean completing an academic improvement plan, and future funding isn’t guaranteed.

Eligible students can get up to $5,000 each school year to help cover college or training costs, depending on available funding. To receive Brighter Star each semester, you’ll need to first meet with your Independent Living (IL) Coordinator—it does not get added automatically.

Brighter Star scholarship awards can’t be more than your school’s total cost of attendance. The award is usually split into two payments of up to $2,500 each semester. Most of the time, the funds are sent straight to your school to pay for things like tuition, fees, textbooks, meal plans and room and board.

If you have questions about how it works, your IL Coordinator can walk you through it.

The Brighter Star scholarship can be used toward tuition, academic fees, textbook costs, required school supplies, computers, childcare costs, transportation costs and room and board costs.