ScholarCHIPS., Inc

ScholarCHIPS, Inc. is a DC-based nonprofit with a mission to provide college scholarships, mentoring and a support network to youth who have incarcerated parents and are pursuing their college degree. 

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 her 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 tailored to their experience, Yasmine decided to create one herself.

Yasmine established ScholarCHIPS For Children of Incarcerated Parents in October 2010. She serves as the organization’s Executive Director. Today, ScholarCHIPS is an independent 501c3 nonprofit organization. We are the only organization in the DC Metropolitan region that works to achieve the following mission: provide college scholarships, mentorship, and a support network for youth with incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. Our advocacy program also impacts public policy and decreases the stigma faced by this population. We are proud to report that ScholarCHIPS has awarded over $150,000 to 61 scholars to date. We currently have  helped get 16 college graduates to and through college, and that number is growing every year. 

With your support we can offer more scholarships, book awards and mentoring to students with great need!