Barriers to Higher Education: Foster care youth are less likely to enroll in college preparatory courses (15 percent v. 32 percent) even when they have similar test scores and grades as non-foster care youth. In addition, they are more likely to drop out of high school (37 percent v. 16 percent). These youth are less likely to access higher education as young adults. A strong majority – 70 percent – of teens in the foster care system have a desire to attend college. In 1998, Casey Family Programs served over 1,500 children in 23 communities in 13 states. As a result of Casey’s services, nearly half attended some college, demonstrating that these youth take advantage of opportunities for education. Research has shown that education is a leading indicator of successful youth development and adult self-sufficiency (Casey Family Programs; Higher Education Reform: Incorporating the Needs of Foster Care Youth, p. 7).
Methods for Eliminating the Barriers
Higher Education Act (HEA): HEA is the primary federal source for financial aid for postsecondary education, which is expected to be reauthorized this year. This reauthorization can be an instrument for helping foster care youth access degree programs at both two-and four-year institutions. Proprietary (or trade) schools enroll 4 percent of all postsecondary students, and public community colleges enroll 37 percent of all students. The following are examples of policy areas that may be addressed in the HEA reauthorization.
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GAO Study on Expanding “Ability to Benefit”: High school dropouts are eligible for financial aid if they can achieve a specified score on an independently administered exam demonstrating that they can benefit from the education or training being offered. The reauthorization of HEA could require the General Accounting Office (GAO) to study how to expand the concept of “ability to benefit” to increase the number of deserving foster care youth who have access to a higher education. For example, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators recommended that high school dropouts who have completed at least six units of college courses applicable toward a degree or certificate and who have a grade average of “C” or better be deemed to have the ability to benefit from higher education and thus have access to financial aid.
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Study on Expanding Access to Financial Aid: Section 490C of HEA established the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, which, among other responsibilities, is directed to assess the adequacy of, and provide recommendations for, improving current methods for disseminating information about student financial aid programs. The Committee also provides recommendations for the modernization of student financial aid systems and delivery processes. Foster care youth would benefit greatly if these “special analyses and activities” of the Advisory Committee addressed their special needs and circumstances. For example, the Advisory Committee might look into how more foster care youth can be encouraged to apply for financial aid and how the application process could be streamlined and identify potential barriers the potential barriers to the application of financial aid for youth who are not formally part of the foster care system but live with caregivers other than their birth parents.
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Expand Outreach Programs: HEA funds outreach programs to prepare disconnected youth for postsecondary education. Neither the TRIO nor GEAR UP programs specifically emphasize foster care youth as a population that requires special attention. The reauthorization of HEA could address this issue by identifying services to foster care youth as a “permissible service” in these programs.
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TRIO: For example, two federal TRIO programs are educational opportunity outreach programs designed to motivate and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to progress through the “academic pipeline.” Talent Search and Upward Bound programs identify, motivate, and support students as they complete secondary school and undertake a program of postsecondary education. Both programs provide a spectrum of services, including assistance in secondary school reentry, entry to GED programs, assistance in completing college admission and financial aid applications, personal and career counseling, instruction, summer housing, and academic tutorials.
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GEAR UP: GEAR UP is a program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. It provides grants to states and partnerships to provide services at high poverty middle and high schools. Funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.
Foster Care Independence Education And Training Vouchers: The Foster Care Independence Program provides funding for education and training vouchers for former foster care youth. Funded services must help eligible children who are under the age of 18 obtain a high school diploma, prepare for additional vocational training or post-secondary education, explore careers, learn other life skills (including job retention, budgeting and financial management), avoid substance abuse, and make other healthy life decisions (e.g. avoid smoking, practice good nutrition, and prevention of early pregnancies). Finally, states may provide former foster care youths, ages 18, 19, and 20, with financial, housing, counseling, employment, education (including granting vouchers), or “other appropriate support and services.” However, no more than 30% of a state’s allotment of funds may be used to provide room and board. FY 2004 appropriation: $44.7 million. Budget request FY 2005: $60 million.