The Nicholas Scoppetta Scholarship (Nick’s Scholars) Program Fall 2026 Application

Dear Applicant:

We are proud to support young adults in their efforts to achieving their educational goals through the Nicholas Scoppetta Scholarship (Nick’s Scholars) Program. We invite students who currently attend any CUNY School or a private college/University in New York City and are enrolled for the Fall 2026 semester to apply. Students who are currently enrolled in the College Choice Program are NOT eligible.

Please review the enclosed guidelines and carefully complete the application. It is important that we have all of the requested information, so please take extra care to read the guidelines before finalizing and sending in your application. Please let us know if you have any difficulties obtaining all of the information required by the submission deadline of September 11th, 2026. You may have the information sent directly to New Yorkers For Children in order to avoid further delay. An incomplete application will not be considered. The Nick’s Scholars Program is only available to youth who are in, or have recently transitioned out of foster care, and that have been accepted to and/or enrolled in a New York City college or university. The school or college that you attend must be in the New York City area, as you must have the ability to travel to our office for monthly meetings with our Manager of Youth Programs. All applications must be received by September 11th, 2026.

Our goal is to serve four (4) foster youth from New York City for only one (1) semester ( Fall 2026). If you have any questions or need help with the completion of your application please contact us at program@newyorkersforchildren.org or 646.257.2930.

Sincerely,

Ellen Ampofo

Senior Director of Programs

New Yorkers For Children

NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN

NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA SCHOLARSHIP (NICK’S SCHOLARS) PROGRAM

2026 APPLICATION GUIDELINES

NICHOLAS SCOPPETTA SCHOLARSHIP (NICK’S SCHOLARS) PROGRAM

The Nicholas Scoppetta Scholarship (Nick’s Scholars) Program was developed by New Yorkers For Children to support New York City youth aging out of foster care to attain a college degree. It is a comprehensive program for youth in foster care and foster care alumni in New York City who are enrolled in any college in New York City. The Nick’s Scholars Program provides essential personalized wraparound services in the form of financial, academic, and emotional support to help students transition to, and succeed in college. Nick’s Scholars receive a monthly stipend to help them cover their educational and living expenses and allow them to focus on school. The program connects these students to academic and personal resources to help them overcome challenges as they navigate college on their own. As Nick’s Scholars, they belong to a larger community where they are provided the opportunity to build relationships with other Nick’s Scholars and supportive adult mentors to encourage them on their path to a college degree.

HOW IT WORKS

This scholarship will only be awarded for one semester (Fall 2026). This one semester scholarship is for youth who are attending or have been accepted to a CUNY or private college/University in New York City. The Nick’s Scholars Program will provide a holistic support program to foster youth who seek to obtain an undergraduate degree for the Fall 2026 semester. Students that have previously applied and not been accepted are encouraged to re-apply.

NEW YORKERS FOR CHILDREN

New Yorkers For Children (NYFC) works in partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to improve the prospects of children supported by the child welfare system and to engage New Yorkers in that effort. With a focus on young people in foster care, NYFC supports programs that promote paths to stable adulthood through education and sustainable relationships with caring adults.

Please visit our website www.newyorkersforchildren.org for more information about our programs.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A NICK’S SCHOLAR?

Acceptance to the Nick’s Scholars Program means you will commit to:

· Being a student in good standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

· Meet monthly with the Youth Academic Advisor

· Serve as an ambassador for New Yorkers For Children

HOW DO I APPLY?

1. Assess Your Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for Nick’s Scholars Program if you:

· Are a student currently or formerly in foster care in New York City

· Not older than 26 years of age

· Are currently enrolled in or have been accepted and plan to attend a CUNY school starting Fall 2026 semester

· Are currently enrolled in a private college in New York City and have completed at least your first semester

· Have a GPA of 2.5 or higher

Please note: You are NOT eligible if you are apart of the College Choice Program.

P

P Start, Complete, and Sign the Application Form

G Gather and Submit Necessary Documents

Information about all required documents is included in the application.

If any of these materials are arriving after the deadline, please indicate when you will submit missing material. You must include the following documents with your application:

Completed Application Form
Why should you be considered for the Nick’s Scholars Program?

What are your educational and personal goals?
What is your long-term vision and how can a college degree help you achieve it?
How would you support yourself in college if you don’t receive this scholarship?
What challenges/obstacles have you faced in life and what did you learn from them?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?

· 2 Letters of Recommendation

o Please ask a teacher, social worker, educational specialist, guidance counselor, mentor, or other adult in your community who is familiar with your academic background and who can speak about your character and motivation to succeed in college (family members and/or friends are not allowed). By providing the names and contact information, you give New Yorkers For Children permission to contact your references.

· SAT or ACT Scores (if applicable)

· High school and/or college transcript. We will ask for an official transcript if you are invited for an interview.

· Proof of college enrollment

· Official letter of acceptance or verification from Registrar’s Office.

· Completed income form

Please note that incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Contact Information

Last Name

Middle Name

First Name

Phone

Date of Birth

Email

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

Country

State

Provinces

Postal Code

Are you Hispanic/Latino?

YesNo

If yes, please select one:

If other, Please specify

Contact Information

Please Indicate Race:

Please select which gender you identify with:

If Self-Describing, Please Identify Below:

Do you identify as LGBTIQA+?

YesNoPrefer not to say

Are you a parent or legal guardian to a child under 13?

YesNo

If yes, how many children do you have?

Educational Information:

Name Of High School or GED Program

Graduation Date (mm/dd/yyyy)

Name of college you are currently attending/plan to attend

Counselor’s /Advisor’s Name:

Counselor’s /Advisor’s Phone Number:

Counselor’s /Advisor’s Email Address:

Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA):

Major (If Applicable):

Career Interest(s):

Please indicate the year you will be in during the Fall Semester

Foster Care Agency/Worker Information

Are you currently in Foster Care?

To be eligible for the Nick's Scholars Program, you must have been in care on or aged out of care.

If no, please indicate your date of discharge:

Age at Discharge:

Name of Foster Care Agency

First Name of Agency Worker:

Last Name Of Agency Worker

Agency Worker's Phone Number

Agency Worker Email Address

Income and Expenses

Are you currently working?

If yes, How many hours are you working a week?

Name of Employer

Employer Phone Number

Monthly Expenses

How much do you pay in rent/mortgage?

$

Con Edison?

$

Cable/Internet

$

Cell Phone

$

Public Transportation

$

Food

$

Other Amount (Please Specify):

$

What is your Other Expense?

Monthly Income

ETV

$

ACS/ Agency Stipend (Please Specify)

$

ACS / Agency name

S.N.A.P. Benefits

$

Public Assistance

$

Job (Pay Check)

$

Other Income Amount (Please Specify)

$

What is your Other income?

Award Package for Fall Semester

Pell

$

TAP

$

Other Award Amount (Please Specify)

$

What is your Other Award?

Other Award Amount 2 (Please Specify)

$

What is your Other Award 2?

Personal Essay

Please attach a 1-2 page personal essay that demonstrates your candidacy for the Nick’s Scholars Program. Your essay must address each of the questions below.

1. Why should you be considered for the Nick’s Scholars Program?

2. What are your educational and personal goals?

3. What is your long-term vision and how can a college degree help you achieve it?

4. How would you support yourself in college if you don’t receive this scholarship?

5. What challenges/obstacles have you faced in life and what did you learn from them?

6. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Personal Essay

Recommendations

Recommender One

Recommender’s Name

Telephone Number:

Relationship to Applicant (recommendations from relatives are not accepted):

Recommender's Email

Recommender TWO

Recommender's Name

Telephone Number

Relationship to Applicant (recommendations from relatives are not accepted):

Recommender's Email

Applications will NOT be considered without completed Letters of Recommendation

By E-signing below, I affirm that all statements made on this application are true. I understand that a false statement or intentional omission of any material fact may cause me to be disqualified from eligibility of this scholarship.

Applicant Signature

Date (mm/dd/yyyy):