OVERVIEW
Since 2005, Blue Heron has focused on expanding The University Scholarship and Mentorship Program, which aims to provide essential college funding to vulnerable students in Romania and Moldova. Our goal is to help our students gain those values and skills necessary to navigate life as productive, self-reliant adults. With this intention we designed our program to offer one-on-one support while also fostering responsibility.
We provide our students with:
- A $55 monthly living stipend toward personal expenses
- Tuition: up to $600, which covers all fees for most undergraduate and graduate degrees, and the full tuition of $2,200 for medical school (this applies to students whose tuition is not subsidized by the Romanian Government)
- Up to $400 per year for supplementary coursework, such as foreign language, tech, or driving classes (this applies to students whose tuition is not subsidized by the Romanian Government)
- A one-on-one adult mentor who closely monitors the assigned student’s progress and offers emotional support, filling a gap that these young adults often encounter as they enter university
- A monthly journal, which fosters communication between the students, mentors and the foundation. This encourages students to share their successes and challenges, allowing them to forge meaningful relationships with their mentors while gaining a deeper understanding of themselves
- The opportunity to participate in a yearly summer camp where students celebrate the year’s achievements and engage in a wide range of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, dancing, resume workshops, and mock job interviews
Scholarships are awarded through a formal contract between the Foundation and the Scholarship Recipients, in collaboration with the State Directorate or the relevant NGO the students belong to. These scholarships are renewable every school year, contingent upon satisfactory completion of students’ academic and program requirements.
We require our students to:
- Attend classes regularly
- Successfully pass year-end qualifying exam
- Write monthly journal entries to their mentors and the foundation
- Volunteer 5 hours per week
Mentors
Alumni
SELECTION CRITERIA
Being a Blue Heron scholarship recipient is a commitment to oneself, to one’s mentor and to society. It is a joint effort between the foundation and recipients meant to help them become independent, responsible and successful.
APPLICATION CRITERIA:
- Applicants must be either orphaned or abandoned in the care of the state (Social Assistance and Child Protection Directorate –DGASPC-) or a non-governmental organization (NGO)
- In some cases, we consider applicants who show exceptional academic potential but come from families with extremely disadvantaged backgrounds
- Applicants must be accepted into a Romanian university
- Applicants must not benefit from any other scholarships or sources of income
WHAT WE LOOK FOR:
A team of Blue Heron evaluators carefully studies all applications and awards scholarships based on the following criteria:
- The degree of hardship applicants have faced and the significance of the obstacles they have had to overcome
- A demonstrated love of learning and acceptable academic achievement during their high school years
- A commitment to participate fully in all aspects of the Blue Heron Scholarship program and are not just looking for financial aid
- A willingness to meet us halfway
HOW WE FIND OUR STUDENTS:
The Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection sends an annual Blue Heron scholarship announcement to every Child Protection office in the 40 regions of Romania. We also work with the school inspectorates of each region to identify academically promising students from vulnerable families.
Blue Heron accepts approximately half of all applicants.
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SUCCESS STORIES
At Blue Heron Foundation, we try to speak for those vulnerable members of the Romanian society who are unable to speak for themselves. But as these orphaned and abandoned children gain the support they need in life, their voices begin to ring loud and clear. We have much to learn from their stories of overcoming obstacles and finding a place for themselves in the world despite their many challenges.
The fonder pay all administrative costs.
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- Success stories
I lived in social care until I was 25 years old. My mother abandoned me in the maternity ward because she has no means to take care of me. I grew up in several different placement centres. In every one of these places, I met teachers and social assistants who…
