The First Star Academy at Arizona State University is a free, year-round program that empowers high school students impacted by foster care, parental incarceration, or housing instability (McKinney-Vento) by providing academic, career, and postsecondary support. Through workshops, mentoring, individualized guidance, educational advocacy, and a supportive community, students gain the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to successfully transition to college, career training, military service, apprenticeships, or the workforce.
First Star ASU is designed to support high school students impacted by foster care, students with an incarcerated parent, and students served under the McKinney-Vento Act as they prepare for life after high school. Through year-round programming, scholars receive individualized support exploring college, career, vocational training, and postsecondary opportunities while building the skills, knowledge, and confidence to achieve their goals after high school.
First Star ASU Academy
Empowering students to invest in their future
About First Star
We recognize that every student's schedule is different. First Star offers varying levels of participation, allowing scholars to remain actively engaged while selecting a commitment level that best fits their availability. This flexible approach ensures students can access support, scholarship guidance, career exploration, and postsecondary planning while balancing school, work, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities.