The Pratt Center

Pratt Center Scholarship

Program Purpose

The Pratt Center – Fostering Success and Leadership Program’s primary goal is to improve academic outcomes, success rates, and degree completion for CSU students who have experienced foster care and are pursuing an undergraduate degree. The Program promotes academic success and degree completion through a continuous system of support and resources. Pratt Center Scholars receive professional guidance, educational support, and peer mentoring as important components of the program structure. The goal is to assure successful planning and preparation for college, followed by structured academic coaching to make a smooth transition to university life and academic success.

Program Overview

The program is customized to address the complicated needs of foster care alumni or youth in/aging out of foster care with a comprehensive system of support. Participation in the Pratt Center – Fostering Success and Leadership Program offers the benefit of a world-class education with engaged learning activities that help to strengthen academic skills, sustain interest in persistence, and contribute to personal and professional development.

Program Features

  • Participation in an intensive summer transition plan - Fostering Success Summer Workshop (FSSW) designed to prepare students for University life or participation in the fall and spring semester workshops. 
  • A structured system of academic advising and learning support services. 
  • Professional mentoring, peer assistants, tutoring and success coaches. Eligibility to apply for the program and scholarship Participation in the Pratt Center – Fostering Success and Leadership Program is voluntary. 
  • Students who have experienced foster care and are currently enrolled at CSU, incoming freshmen, transfer students with at least 25 credit hours, and returning CSU with, at least, a 2.5 GPA. 
  • Students must apply to the Program and already be admitted to CSU to qualify. 
  • Must be a legal resident of Ohio and eligible for in-state tuition rates. Peer Assistance Participants of the CSU Pratt Center – Fostering Success and Leadership Program will be matched with CSU students who will serve as peer assistants, offering encouragement and support for a smooth transition and academic success. In addition, a small group of volunteer Professional Mentors will support students as they transition to university life and persist to degree completion.

Program Oversight

The Pratt Center – Fostering Success and Leadership Program is administered by the CSU Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement – Division of University Engagement, under the direction of the Coordinator of Multicultural Engagement and Student Success Initiatives.

Download the application and apply here now.