8.4 Educational assistance
Providing tuition assistance helps youth in transition complete a higher level of education and prepares them for a more prosperous future. The Midwest Study of foster care alumni found that youth who remain in care past age 18 are significantly more likely to continue their education than those who do not. [i] To assist them, Congress amended the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act in 2001 to authorize the Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program for foster youth. Fostering Connections legislation extends eligibility for the ETV program to children 16 and older who exit foster to adoption or guardianship. [ii]
Annual appropriations to help states pay for postsecondary education, training and related costs have totaled between $42 million and $47 million. Eligible youth may receive the lesser of $5,000 a year or the total cost of attending an institution of higher education. Students who have participated in the ETV program before their 21st birthday may continue to receive this education support up to age 23. Federal program guidelines call for former foster youth to apply for ETV funds in the state where they currently reside; however, many youth apply in the state where they were emancipated, resulting in confusion for states and recipients. [iii]
In addition, an increasing number of states provide their own educational assistance. Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and Washington have grant, scholarship, or tuition waiver programs for foster youth attending state-supported colleges and universities and allow youth adopted from foster care to remain eligible for their use. [iv]
Some states have loosened restrictive educational conditions attached to aid. For example, recognizing how difficult it can be for foster youth to maintain full-time enrollment in educational activities while meeting their other survival needs, Florida has opted to allow for part-time attendance until age 24.
Policy Options:
States can adopt a policy that youth in foster care and foster care alumni are eligible for educational assistance through 1, 2, or 3 of the following mechanisms
·
Educational grants of $5,000, as allowed via Chafee federal funds
·
Educational grants funded by state supplements to Chafee funds
·
Tuition waivers for state-supported colleges and universities
[i]
Courtney, Mark E. & Dworsky, Amy. 2005. Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 19. Chapin Hall Center for Children: Chicago, IL.
[ii]
P.L. 110-351. 2008. Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 .
[iii]
National Governor’s Association.
[iv]
Wiedemeier Bower, Jeannette & Laws, Rita. 2002. Support for Families of Children with Special Needs: A Policy Analysis of Adoption Subsidy Programs in the United States. Saint Paul, MN: North American Council on Adoptable Children. http://www.nacac.org/pdfs/ForeverFamilies.pdf