Dedicated to empowering Roadrunners with a history of foster care.
The Fostering Educational Success Center is a space dedicated for Roadrunners with a history of foster care. We provide supportive services to eligible students to be successful academically, which include:
Campus Coaching is a unique service offered by the FESC. Our staff are certified Coaches through the Fostering Success Coach training program offered and developed by Western Michigan University. Our Coaches will help you develop important skills to use on campus towards your academic success and also out in the community as you get ready to graduate and launch into your journey outside of higher education. Our goal is to work alongside you in partnership as you design and achieve your goals. We empower you to pursue the path of success that is most meaningful to you!
We encourage all eligible students to enroll and participate in our program. Enrolling in our program is as simple as completing a short information form and assessment with our Campus Coach. The information gathered during the enrollment helps guide our staff to know how we can best support you in your academic career. By enrolling with our program, you will receive an incentive of a $25 value at the time of your assessment. You will also begin to receive information on new resources, programs, and events sponsored by the FESC that you can access throughout your career at UTSA! Some of these programs will include meals, swag, and the opportunity to connect with other students on campus.
Due to COVID-19, the FESC self-care pantry is open on a limited basis. Contact your Campus Coach to schedule an appoint to access our pantry. You may also access the Roadrunner Pantry in the Student Union as an alternative resource. Please visit the Roadrunner Pantry website for more information.
Our Center has a dedicated pantry and closet for FESC students. We have a microwave, small refrigerator, and a coffee pot available to you for making small meals or snacks in the Center! Some of the items we typically have in stock are:
- Macaroni and Cheese
- Spaghetti’Os
- Chips
- Oatmeal and granola bars
- Shampoo and Conditioner
- Body wash
- Toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- Paper plates and plasticware
- Binders
- Pens and pencils
- Notebook paper
Emergency Funds are available to access remotely during COVID-19 provisions.
We have specific funds available for FESC students experiencing a crisis, and we can assist in covering expenses up to $500 a year to make sure that you can keep making progress towards your academic goals. Some of these expenses may include:
- Housing (including rental arrears)
- Utilities (including arrears)
- Vehicle costs and maintenance
- Medical expenses
- Phone/internet
- Groceries
The FESC has Peer Mentors who can work with you to help you feel supported in your academic journey. The Peer Mentors are students who are hired through the FESC and who are matched with new students based on shared interests and goals. We work in partnership with the First Gen and Transfer Student Center to provide this program, as many students with a history of foster care have shared identities as first generation and transfer students.
Mentor matching is now open for the Fall 2020 semester. Please click here to sign up for a mentor!
Are you interested in becoming a Peer Mentor? You can apply for this opportunity in the Spring 2021! The application will be released during the Fall 2020 semester. Please click here to learn more about this opportunity.
The FESC partners with Campus Services to a run Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program on campus at Chaparral Village, Laurel Village, and Alvarez Hall. The SIL program allows UTSA students using their Tuition and Fee Waiver to live on campus and have Housing and Meal Plan costs covered. SIL program participants also receive a $90 monthly stipend to put towards basic living expenses.
SIL program participants live in a single-occupancy room and can work with Campus Services to identify open units. Meal Plans are designated for SIL students and cover the cost of 3 meals daily. The Campus Coach meets with SIL program participants regularly, and all SIL students are eligible for the same FESC program benefits.
This program is for UTSA students in extended foster care with DFPS. For eligibility requirements for extended foster care, please click here. If you are interested in applying for SIL, please contact your caseworker and request a referral. All SIL students must apply for housing through the Campus Services page.
UTSA’s SIL program is contracted with Family Tapestry.
Dell XPS 13 laptops are available for students to check out from the FESC to meet your virtual education needs. Laptops are available on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact your Campus Coach to learn more about how you can access a laptop through the Center!
We have additional resources that may be available to you during your academic career at UTSA. We issue book scholarships and clothing vouchers at up to $500 per semester to help meet your needs. We also encourage you to stay connected with other programs at UTSA, and you can earn a $25 Uber Eats gift cards by participating (at up to $100 per semester). We will be assisting a limited number of students with meal plan and graduation costs at a first come, first serve basis. Your Campus Coach can give you more information on how to sign up for these resources!
The FESC partners with Campus and Community Champions to offer workshops unique to students with a history of foster care. Some of those workshops are live, and your Campus Coach can send you more information on workshops you may be interested in.
Please check out some of our pre-recorded workshops here:
Tuition and Fee Waiver
Students with a history of foster care attending UTSA may be eligible to receive a Tuition and Fee Waiver from DFPS.
Eligibility: To see if you may be eligible for the waiver, please click here to view the list of DFPS requirements
Next Steps: If you already have a copy of your waiver, please email it to the UTSA Fiscal Services office at fiscal.services@utsa.edu to apply it to your student account. You will only submit your waiver once before starting your first semester at UTSA and it will carry forward as you remain enrolled.
Questions: If you have any questions about your eligibility for the waiver or what to do once you’ve secured it, please contact your Campus Coach for support!
