The Rutgers Future Scholars (RFS) Program is a university-wide initiative founded in 2007 to increase high school retention and graduation rates, and college enrollment and completion of low income, underrepresented but academically promising students starting in the 7th grade. Rutgers Future Scholars who are admitted to Rutgers receive tuition aid via grants and/or a gap scholarship. RFS provides students with opportunities for educational growth, social development, and personal enrichment and has positively impacted thousands of first-generation students across New Jersey by making higher education possible.

The Rutgers Future Scholars Family Academy was established in 2015 with the goal of connecting families to resources and opportunities in order to be active participants in their children’s education. Our Family Academy model allows us to assist parents by creating pathways for advocacy and providing support and information on how to leverage community and campus resources for family benefit. The model is built on the belief that access to information allows families to make the most informed and best decisions about their child’s education and future and keeps Scholars connected to the program. Research shows that parental involvement is a key component in student success so we will share approaches to engage families and create a bridge that means better outcomes for students. Participants will leave the workshop with resources and tools on how to develop a successful family engagement program to implement within their own community.