UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by UMPS CARE

Overview
The All-Star Scholarship provides enhanced access to higher education for young people who were adopted at age 13 or older, or who left foster care for permanent guardianship at or after age 13. Each year a single student is chosen to receive financial support for college-related costs — up to $10,000 per academic year to be used for tuition, textbooks, and other eligible expenses.

Ongoing mentorship
UMPS CARE pairs each scholarship recipient with a Major League Baseball umpire and that umpire’s family to support the student throughout college. Mentors and UMPS CARE stay involved via phone check-ins, care packages, and special on-field experiences at Big League ballparks where students meet umpires and learn about work ethic, sacrifice, and giving back.

Who is eligible
- Adopted or exited foster care to permanent guardianship at age 13 or older.
- Demonstrated financial need as shown on the FAFSA/Student Aid Report.
- Incoming or currently enrolled college students who are 21 years old or younger when the application is submitted, and who are accepted to or attending an accredited U.S. college or university.

Application materials required
- A completed application including four short-answer essays written by the applicant.
- Three letters of recommendation that speak to the student’s achievements, progress, and needs:
- One from a teacher or school administrator familiar with the student’s academic work.
- One from a personal reference (for example, a social worker, coach, mentor, etc.).
- One from a parent describing the student’s growth since adoption.
- The student’s most recent high school transcript and a copy of first-semester grades. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- The Student Aid Report (FAFSA). For FAFSA details and deadlines visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- A copy of adoption or legal guardianship documents.
- If the applicant’s college requires ACT/SAT scores for admission, submit the official score report from the testing agency.

Award amounts and selection
UMPS CARE may provide grants of up to $5,000 per semester (maximum of $10,000 per school year). Over a standard four-year enrollment, a recipient could receive up to $40,000 in total, subject to ongoing compliance with the program’s maintenance requirements. Award sizes are determined by UMPS CARE based on demonstrated financial need (FAFSA results and any additional financial documentation requested).

Maintaining the scholarship
Recipients must continue to meet these standards (aligned with Federal grant norms) to keep receiving funds:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. If the GPA drops below 2.5, the scholarship will be placed “under review” and the committee may require additional steps.
- Submit semester grades and proof of registration for upcoming classes at the end of each term.
- Adhere to high ethical standards personally, academically, and professionally.
- Stay in regular contact with UMPS CARE staff and/or the assigned mentor throughout each semester.
- Provide any supplemental financial information requested by UMPS CARE.

UMPS CARE will review applicants’ FAFSA and other financial documents to decide award amounts and continued eligibility.