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The First Star Kent State Academy is a free, comprehensive four-year college access program for youth in foster care.

First Star, a national non-profit, improves the lives of foster youth by partnering with child welfare agencies, universities, and school districts to ensure foster youth have the academic, life skills, and adult support needed to transition to higher education and adulthood successfully. We pursue our mission through innovative, university-based college-preparatory programs, providing technical assistance to stakeholders, and advocating for policy change.

The program engages a cohort of up to 30 students in a variety of engaging and active learning opportunities that include academic support, career exploration, social and cultural activities, field trips, service learning, and many recreational activities.

Caregiver Support

Caring for a youth can be overwhelming, so we also provide foster parents, bio parents, and kinship caregivers with resources, support, and fellowship. Currently groups meet monthly and are led by a family support facilitator contracted by First Star. 

Eligibility 

The recommended student must be:

1. Currently in foster care in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Mahoning, Portage, Summit, Stark, Trumbull or Tuscarawas counties.
2. Currently enrolled in the 8th, 9th or 10th grade.
3. Able and willing to participate in the four-week residential component at the university and monthly Saturday sessions.
4. Maintaining at least a 2.3 GPA and 90% attendance in current and previous school year — with some exceptions for extenuating circumstances.
5. Demonstrating maturity and potential to thrive in a college-prep setting.

Questions?

Email Danielle Green-Welch at firststarinfo@kent.edu.