Empowering College Dreams for Students with Incarcerated Parents
At ScholarCHIPS, we provide college scholarships, mentoring, mental health support, and a peer network that inspires and equips young adults with incarcerated parents to complete their college education and thrive.
Why ScholarCHIPS
We See Potential Where Others Don’t
More than 5 million children in the U.S. have experienced a parent’s incarceration — yet tailored support and opportunities for them are rare. ScholarCHIPS is uniquely positioned to help these students overcome stigma, financial barriers, and emotional challenges so they can succeed in college and beyond.
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Our Programs
ScholarCHIPS provides more than financial aid — we deliver holistic, long-term support designed specifically for college students with incarcerated parents. Our programs work together to ensure scholars don’t just get into college, but stay, succeed, and graduate.
Scholarship Program
Mentorship & College Completion Program
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Advocacy Program
Mental Health & Wellness Program
Scholar Emergency Fund
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Our Story
As a junior in high school, Yasmine Arrington became a 2010 Fellow in the LearnServe International Program in Washington, DC. LearnServe challenged her to help solve a need within the community. At the time, Yasmine and her grandmother were searching for scholarships to help cover her future college tuition, but could not find one for teens like her with incarcerated parents. Realizing that millions of other youth like her have an incarcerated parent and would benefit from a college scholarship and mentorship program tailored to their experience, Yasmine decided to create one herself.
With the support of trusted mentors who Yasmine asked then to be the founding board members, Yasmine established ScholarCHIPS, Inc. (For Children of Incarcerated Parents) in 2010. In October 2010, Yasmine hosted a Kick-Off event in the DC community, where she officially announced the launch of ScholarCHIPS. This ScholarCHIPS Kick-Off event was Yasmine’s Girl Scout Gold Award project. Yasmine serves as the organization’s executive director.
2,500
Over 2,500 hours of mentorship
100
Number of scholars to date
53
Different universities, including HBCUs
90%
Have graduated/are on track to graduate in the next 4-5 years
54
Scholars have graduated to date
Get Involved
Every action — mentoring, donating, or spreading awareness — helps students with incarcerated parents succeed in college and beyond.
1
Become a Scholar
The 2026 ScholarCHIPS Application is open — apply by March 31, 2026 and start your college journey with support designed just for you.
2
Become a Mentor
Change a life with your time, wisdom, and encouragement. Our mentoring program welcomes compassionate role models to support scholars every step of the way.
3
Support Our Work
Your donation fuels scholarships, mental health support, emergency funds, and life-changing mentorship — helping scholars overcome barriers and complete their degree.
Testimonials
ScholarCHIPS is critical for students like myself who have incarcerated parents. We all are trying to make a difference for ourselves, our families and future children. We are trying to breaking generational cycles, and ScholarCHIPS helps us to do this. ScholarCHIPS keeps us going.”
Ahnyah Phillips
ScholarCHIPS Alumna (2020 Cohort)
Clark Atlanta University Graduate
Testimonials
I do not know another organization that cares more for their scholars’ success – past, present and future, like ScholarCHIPS does. Once you join ScholarCHIPS, you are a part of a family of people who understand the struggle you’ve gone through, but encourage you to be motivated and driven.”
Noah Dyson
ScholarCHIPS Scholar (2017 Cohort)
Elon University
Testimonials
ScholarCHIPS has supported me throughout my college journey nonstop with calls, text, support and mentorship! My ScholarCHIPS mentor and I built such a great bond. She really helped me to push through and finish strong!”
Sydnee Davis
ScholarCHIPS Alumna (2017 Cohort)
Hampton University Graduate
Testimonials
ScholarCHIPS is a family! ScholarCHIPS creates room for like-minded individuals who have the shared experience of having an incarcerated parent, and we grow as a unit!”
DeRonte Craig
ScholarCHIPS Alumnus (2015 Cohort)
Bowie State University Graduate
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Testimonials
ScholarCHIPS treats scholars as more than just scholarship recipients. The ScholarCHIPS team treats us as members of another family – a family that you can rely on for support! ScholarCHIPS has provided me with financial and emotional support through my time in community college and at four-year accredited colleges.”
Eric Osborne
ScholarCHIPS Alumnus (2014 Cohort)
Bowie State University Graduate
Testimonials
My time with ScholarCHIPS has been one that has been filled with so much love. I am a natural empath, so I tend to gravitate towards spaces that foster a safe environment, of which our ScholarCHIPS family is the best representation of! The ScholarCHIPS family is your personal set of cheerleaders.”
Jasmine Harris
ScholarCHIPS Alumna (2016 Cohort)
North Carolina A&T University Graduate
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