Post-Secondary Education:
Opportunities for Foster Youth
in the Era of AB12
1
Agenda
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Introductions and Icebreaker
AB12 – A New Opportunity
How to Motivate and Inspire
- Break College – The Basics
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System Overview
Admission and Enrollment
Financial Aid
Retention and Support Programs
Questions and Answers
2
Icebreaker
3
AB12 – A New Opportunity
4
Foster Youth and Education
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Last year in California over 4600 foster youth
aged out of care
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Of youth surveyed regarding AB12, 83%
indicated a desire to go to college
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Studies show that only 25% will complete one
year of college and 5% will obtain a 2 or 4
year degree
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Why Higher Education Matters
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Significantly higher incomes and job stability
Lower incarceration rates
Improved health outcomes
 lower smoking rates
 more positive perceptions of personal health
Higher levels of civic participation, including
volunteer work and voting
Improved academic achievement of offspring
6
What challenges do foster youth
currently face in higher education?
Inadequate
housing
Lack of
financial
resources
Frequent
changes in
home and
school leave
youth
unprepared
Lack of
adult role
models
Lack of
information
about higher
education,
financial aid,
support
resources etc.
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AB 12 Will Address Many of These
Issues by Providing….
Housing
through an
approved
placement
In some
cases may
receive
benefit
directly
Monthly visits
with social
worker and
assistance
with transition
to
independence
Health
insurance
until age
21
Independent
Living
Services
8
Potential of Extended Foster Care
to Promote Educational Outcomes

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“Midwest Study” - Surveyed 732 youth who exited foster
care from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin at ages 18, 19, 21,
and 24
 In care youth 3 times more likely to complete one year
of college and 2.5 times more likely to obtain BA
 Being in care was associated with a 38 percent
reduction in the risk of becoming pregnant
AB12 will improve outcomes, but foster youth still likely
to lag behind peers
Need additional support – from you!
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In the past…
Child Welfare
Post-Secondary
Education
Foster
Youth
10
In the future…
Child Welfare
Post-Secondary
Education
Foster
Youth
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Encouraging Education
Participation: An Evidence
Based Approach
12
Encourage youth who think they
can’t go to college
“No one rises to low expectations”
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Danger of the self-fulfilling prophecy
Set high expectations – regardless of past performance
Emphasize opportunity that extended foster care presents
Consistently express the expectation that the student will
graduate from high school and go on to post-secondary
education
Encourage all adults involved with the student, including
teachers, to give this message and to use such phrases
as, “When you go to college….”
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Early Preparation
“The intervention of one significant person at a critical point in the life of a
student is extremely significant to educational success for students from
low-income backgrounds.” – Joan Merdinger, PhD, Education Expert
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Motivate from a young age
Include caregiver
Bring in resources early
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County educational liaisons
School counselors
Foster Youth Services
ILP
A-G requirements and standardized tests
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Education Pays
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Explain differences between college
and high school
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Students choose to be there
Flexible schedule – students manage their own
time
Breaks between classes
Students get to pick their own classes
Much wider range of subjects
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Career and technical education pathways
Opportunities for extra-curricular activities
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Discuss other benefits
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More career options
Chance to explore new fields
Opportunities to develop communication
skills, social interaction skills, analytical
skills, and reasoning skills
Make new friends and meet valuable
connections
Long term improved health
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Expose youth to role models and
college life
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Connect with foster care alumni in college or
who have completed postsecondary
education
Enroll in mentoring programs
Field trips to local colleges
Locate ILSP service on college campuses
Influence of peers
Other ideas?
18
Hold youth accountable
“My junior year I only went to class about half the time. Then in my senior
year, my first period teacher asked me to promise that I’d show up at least for
first period every day. I ended up with the best attendance record in the whole
class” – Former foster youth
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Hold high academic aspirations
Set clear expectations
Ask every month about school and grades
Follow up on tasks related to education
Use texting for reminders
Accountability as expression of care
Be authentic
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Career assessments and interest
inventories
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Allow youth to assess what career fields
might suit them best
Broaden thinking about career options
Recognize previously unknown skills and
interests
Create linkage between career choice and
educational attainment
Fun!
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Role Play Exercise #1
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College – The Basics
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Overview of Post-Secondary Education
Systems
Community
college
Career &
Technical
Education
Private
colleges
CSU
UC
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Community College
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Serves greatest number of foster youth of all
three systems (est. 7,000-10,000)
112 Colleges throughout state
Options
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High school diploma
2-year Associate (AA) degree
Career & Technical Education – occupational
certificates
Transfer to 4-year university
Wide range of programs
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California State University
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4-year institutions
23 campuses, 412,000 students
More stringent admissions than
community college and less than UC
Accepts freshman admissions and
transfer from community college
1200 – 1300 foster youth
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University of California
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4-year institutions
More stringent admissions requirements
than CSU
10 campuses with 222,000 students
Accepts freshman admissions and
transfer from community college
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Career & Technical Education
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Career & Technical Education Options
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Regional Occupational Centers and
Programs (ROCPs)
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Non-profit community based programs
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Community colleges
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Adult schools
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Private schools
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Career & Technical EducationConsiderations
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Targeted, career-focused training
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Can be shorter term programs
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Degree vs. Certificate
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Career Advancement Academies
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Financial aid is available
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Cost considerations and risks associated
with private CTE schools
30
Access – Admission and
Enrollment
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Community Colleges - Admissions
Eligibility for enrollment
Online application – www.cccapply.org
Getting transcripts
Board of Governors fee waiver
Community Colleges – Admissions
& Assessment
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Assessment-COMPASS Evaluation
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Online ID
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Checking e-mail
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Benefits of self-identifying as foster
youth
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Applying for EOPS
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Community Colleges – Enrollment
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Determining what classes to take – academic
plans
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How to enroll
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Deadlines - importance of early enrollment
and priority enrollment
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Payment of fees
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Dropping classes – impact and timelines
34
Cal State – Freshman Admissions
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A-G requirements
Grades and test scores
CSU local preference
Online application: www.csumentor.edu
Application Deadline: Oct 1 – Nov 30
EOP application
Application fee waiver
Writing and math assessment
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UC Freshman Admissions
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A-G requirements
Grades and test scores
Personal statement
Online application:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
Application Deadline: Nov 1 – Nov 30
Application fee waiver
Writing requirement
EOP application
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Cal State and UC – Transfer from
Community College
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Students should plan for transfer as soon as
they enter community college
Academic counselor can help create plan
60 semester units college credit required plus
specific course requirements
Minimum 2.0 GPA for Cal State and 2.4 GPA
for UC
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Financial Aid
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Costs of Attending College
Community
College
CSU
UC
Private
Fees/tuition
$864
$6,489
$13,200
$30,144
Books and
Supplies
$1,656
$1,652
$1,500
$1,455
Miscellaneous
$4,059
$4,041
$4,200
$3,812
Room & board
(on campus)
$7,800
$10,607
$13,200
$9,330
Room & board
(off campus)
$10,863
$11,379
$9,500
$9,330
Room & board
(living w/
caregiver)
$4,347
$4,253
$4,400
$3,880
Total
$11K - $17K
$16K – $23K
$23K – $28K
$40K – $45K
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Financial Aid Overview
Cal-Grant
Chafee
Federal Grants
Scholarships
Work Study
BOG fee
waiver
Loans
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Financial Aid
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The FAFSA - www.fafsa.gov
How to get help completing the FAFSA
Applying for BOG fee waiver
Deadlines – apply early when possible
 March 2 for maximum aid
 CCC: Prior to start of term – sooner the
better!
Communication
Impact of AB12 income on financial aid
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Applying for Aid
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Getting a PIN
Documents needed to complete FAFSA
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Independent vs. dependent status
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Social security number
Most recent tax return, if filed or W-2s
College codes (available at www.fafsa.gov)
Question #52: At any time since you turned age 13, were both
your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a
dependent or ward of the court?
Question #59: As determined by a court in your state of legal
residence, are you or were you in legal guardianship?
Review Student Aid Report
Submit GPA Verification form for Cal Grant
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Common FAFSA Errors
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Fill out all required fields
Must use legal name as it appears on Social
Security card
Incorrect SSN or DOB
“Were you born before January 1, 1988?”
Do not check “Early Analysis” flag
Adjusted Gross Income and total income tax
Household size
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Chafee Grants
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Requirements
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Open dependency case or ward after 16th birthday
Under 22 as of July 1 of the year they are
applying
Up to $5000 for college or vocational school
To apply: FAFSA + Chafee application
Award priority system
Needs Analysis Report
Enrollment requirements
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Other financial aid issues
Importance of “ward of the
court letter”
 Getting and keeping aid
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Enrollment requirements
 GPA requirements
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Troubleshooting delays in financial
aid payments
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College Retention
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The TILP and Higher Education
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Incorporate specific goals related to higher ed
into the TILP
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Researching colleges
College visits, meeting with peers and mentors
Meet with FYSI liaison
Applying for financial aid
Obtaining transcripts
Connecting to support resources
Coordinate TILP activities with other support
resources
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What you can do to help young
adults stay in school
Connect to campus based resources
 Ensure basic needs met – housing
 Collaborate with caregiver
 Identify local resources
 Develop relationships with local
college personnel
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Staying in School (cont.)
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Motivate and hold accountable
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Regular check-ins
Ask for mid-term grades
Text with reminders
Follow up after key deadlines
Be a support
Provide practical information
 Provide an outlet
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Support Resources for Foster Youth
FYSI
EOP/EOPS
Disabled Students
Programs and
Services
Comprehensive
Campus Support
Programs
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Foster Youth Support Programs
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Comprehensive campus support programs
Offer supportive services, both academic and nonacademic
 Located on CC, CSUs and UCs
 Continuum of programs: Visit
www.cacollegepathways.org to locate
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Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI)
Liaisons located at each community college
 Assist with navigating all academic and student support
services and programs and accessing financial aid
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EOP/EOPS
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Essential program for lowincome, educationally challenged
students
Provides wide range of
assistance, including book
vouchers, child care referrals, etc.
Program staff can be valuable
liaison and are often
knowledgeable about foster care
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Campus Services
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Disabled Students Programs and Services
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20% of foster youth have a learning disability
Provides support services, specialized instruction, and
educational accommodations
Other Services
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Student Education Plan
Tutoring programs
Resources for parenting youth
Financial Aid Officers
Career and Transfer Centers
College/career success courses
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Role Play Exercise #2
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QUESTIONS?
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Contact Information
For More Information:
www.collegepathways.org
Debbie Raucher
debbie@johnburtonfoundation.org
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