First Star ASU Academy

A free, comprehensive four-year college access program designed to provide system-impacted youth with the academic support, encouragement, and enrichment needed to help them prepare for college success.

Empowering students to invest in their future

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.

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How to get involved

Fewer than 3 percent of foster youth and other system-impacted students earn a college degree. You can help change this story. A gift to the First Star ASU Academy Fund empowers Arizona’s youth impacted by foster care, parental incarceration, and housing instability to receive academic support and enrichment resources that prepare them for college access and lifelong success.
Your generosity helps ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential—no matter their circumstances.

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First Star ASU Academy

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Empowering students to invest in their future

How to get involved