The Taylor J. Ertel Scholarship Fund for Foster Children was created in 1993 by Allen and Catharine Ertel in memory of their adopted son, Taylor J. Ertel. Scholarships will assist Pennsylvania residents who have been placed in foster care by a child welfare agency at some point in their lives and are enrolled in a course of study which leads to a degree at an institution of higher education. Applicants must be a Pennsylvania resident who have been placed in foster care by a child welfare agency at some point of their lives and must be admitted to a program of study; training may range from short vocational courses such as cosmetology, data entry or welding, through college and graduate study. Dollar amounts will vary, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Applicant must submit a completed application, a resume with school and volunteer activities and work experience and an essay outlining your ultimate career goals. One letter of recommendation, a confirmed financial aid package from your school, a letter from the Agency which supervised your foster care and a current photo are also required. Scholarships will be awarded on a first-come first-serve basis until all available funds for the current year are committed. Past recipients may reapply for funding by submitting a new application. Awards are paid directly to the institution of higher education.
