Adoption STAR
Scholarship Opportunities
Adoption STAR’s board of directors has developed three scholarship opportunities. Whether you are pursuing adoption or continuing education, we hope these mini grants can be of assistance. If you are not seeking financial assistance, we ask that you make a donation to help grow these scholarships.
Adoption STAR Academic
Scholarship Program
Through its academic scholarship program, Adoption STAR recognizes college bound individuals who were adopted by providing academic scholarships.
- High school transcripts and/or other applicable test scores that reflect improvement and high achievement should be furnished with the application.
- The applicant must have been adopted or in foster care and be known to have overcome adversity.
- The applicant should demonstrate good character and high achievement despite obstacles or special challenges.
- The applicant must have advanced education plans to a 4-year college.
- The applicant should have demonstrated academic progress during their four years of high school.
- The applicant should possess good character, described by two letters of recommendation with at least one of the letters furnished by a teacher or guidance counselor.
- High school transcripts and/or other applicable test scores that reflect improvement and high achievement should be uploaded with the application.
- Awardees must be willing to share their name, photo and personal statement and an update after they begin college. These will be shared by Adoption STAR on social media and their website.
Adoption STAR Scholarship
for LGBTQ+ Prospective Adoptive Parents
Through its academic scholarship program, Adoption STAR recognizes college bound individuals who were adopted by providing academic scholarships.
Adoption STAR thanks I Do Love Buffalo for assisting with the first round of grants in 2016. Since the initial launch of this scholarship, Adoption STAR now fundraises to continue this annual scholarship opportunity. The scholarship is specifically for candidates that are a current Adoption STAR client and who are LGBTQ+ prospective adoptive parents that are already in possession of an approved home study. Clients that have already received placement of a child are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
There are three annual scholarships available. One is earmarked at $1,000.00, the second for $750.00 and the third is $500.00. Interested candidates would submit an online application. The application is open-ended. Scholarship recipients will be selected and announced in June.
- Applications must be submitted electronically by May 31.
- Scholarship award winners will be notified via e-mail and telephone.
- The scholarship committee will make final decisions on a case-by- case basis based on the information provided in the application’s personal statement.
- Scholarship awards will be applied towards the agency’s placement fee. If an adoption does not take place for any reason (including, but not limited to, a family withdrawal), the scholarship funds will be forfeited and awarded to another qualified candidate.
Shining Star Scholarship for the Adoption of Children with Special Needs
Since 2002, Adoption STAR has provided prospective adoptive parents with scholarships to adopt children with disabilities, who we fondly refer to as our Shining Stars.
- Applicants must be committed to the adoption of a child with cognitive and physical disabilities.
- Must be clients of Adoption STAR and have a completed and approved adoption home study for the adoption of a child or children with special needs.
- Scholarships will be awarded at time of match taking into consideration the needs of the child.
- Scholarship awards will be applied towards the agency’s placement fee. If an adoption does not take place for any reason (including, but not limited to, a family withdrawal), the scholarship funds will be forfeited and awarded to another qualified candidate.
- Deadline: Ongoing
Parenthood For Me Medical Scholarship
Adoption STAR is proud to provide the "Parenthood for Me Medical Scholarship" to individuals who have struggled to have children due to a medical diagnosis. Thank you to Parenthood For Me for the initial funding to make this grant possible.
- Must not be current Adoption STAR Clients
- Must not currently have children
- Must demonstrate financial need
- Must show proof of medical diagnosis from a medical professional
Download the Affording Adoption Booklet
In addition to the scholarship opportunities provided by Adoption STAR, the agency developed a booklet called Affording Adoption for those hoping to adopt a child.