Post-Secondary Education: Opportunities for Foster Youth in the Era of AB12

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Agenda

  Introductions and Icebreaker AB12 – A New Opportunity  How to Motivate and Inspire  - Break College – The Basics  System Overview   Admission and Enrollment Financial Aid  Retention and Support Programs  Questions and Answers 2

Icebreaker

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AB12 – A New Opportunity

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Foster Youth and Education

 Last year in California over 4600 foster youth aged out of care  Of youth surveyed regarding AB12, 83% indicated a desire to go to college  Studies show that only 25% will complete one year of college and 5% will obtain a 2 or 4 year degree 5

Why Higher Education Matters

 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. 7

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

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Potential of Extended Foster Care to Promote Educational Outcomes

“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 Foster Youth Post-Secondary Education 10

In the future…

Child Welfare Foster Youth Post-Secondary Education 11

Encouraging Education Participation: An Evidence Based Approach

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Encourage youth who think they can’t go to college

“No one rises to low expectations”

     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….” 13

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

 Motivate from a young age  Include caregiver  Bring in resources early  County educational liaisons   School counselors Foster Youth Services  ILP  A-G requirements and standardized tests 14

Education Pays

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Explain differences between college and high school

  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  Career and technical education pathways  Opportunities for extra-curricular activities 16

Discuss other benefits

 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 17

Expose youth to role models and college life

 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?

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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

 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 19

Career assessments and interest inventories

 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 CSU Private colleges UC 24

Community College

 Serves greatest number of foster youth of all three systems (est. 7,000-10,000)  112 Colleges throughout state  Options  High school diploma   2-year Associate (AA) degree Career & Technical Education – occupational certificates  Transfer to 4-year university  Wide range of programs 25

California State University

 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 26

University of California

 4-year institutions  More stringent admissions requirements than CSU  10 campuses with 222,000 students  Accepts freshman admissions and transfer from community college 27

Career & Technical Education

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Career & Technical Education Options

 Regional Occupational Centers and Programs (ROCPs)  Non-profit community based programs  Community colleges  Adult schools  Private schools 29

Career & Technical Education Considerations

 Targeted, career-focused training  Can be shorter term programs  Degree vs. Certificate  Career Advancement Academies  Financial aid is available  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

 Assessment-COMPASS Evaluation  Online ID  Checking e-mail  Benefits of self-identifying as foster youth  Applying for EOPS 33

Community Colleges – Enrollment

 Determining what classes to take – academic plans  How to enroll  Deadlines - importance of early enrollment and priority enrollment  Payment of fees  Dropping classes – impact and timelines 34

Cal State – Freshman Admissions

 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 35

UC Freshman Admissions

 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 36

Cal State and UC – Transfer from Community College

 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 37

Financial Aid

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Costs of Attending College CSU UC

Fees/tuition Books and Supplies Miscellaneous Room & board (on campus) Room & board (off campus) Room & board (living w/ caregiver)

Total Community College

$864 $1,656 $4,059 $7,800 $10,863 $4,347

$11K - $17K

$6,489 $1,652 $4,041 $10,607 $11,379 $4,253 $13,200 $1,500 $4,200 $13,200 $9,500 $4,400

Private

$30,144 $1,455 $3,812 $9,330 $9,330 $3,880

$16K – $23K $23K – $28K $40K – $45K

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Financial Aid Overview Cal-Grant Federal Grants Chafee Scholar ships Work Study Loans BOG fee waiver

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Financial Aid

 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 41

Applying for Aid

     Getting a PIN Documents needed to complete FAFSA   Social security number Most recent tax return, if filed or W-2s  College codes (available at www.fafsa.gov) Independent vs. dependent status   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 42

Common FAFSA Errors

 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 43

Chafee Grants

 Requirements  Open dependency case or ward after 16 th 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 44

Other financial aid issues

 Importance of “ward of the court letter”  Getting and keeping aid  Enrollment requirements  GPA requirements  Troubleshooting delays in financial aid payments 45

College Retention

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The TILP and Higher Education

 Incorporate specific goals related to higher ed into the TILP  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 47

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 48

Staying in School (cont.)

 Motivate and hold accountable  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 49

Support Resources for Foster Youth

FYSI EOP/EOPS Disabled Students Programs and Services Comprehensive Campus Support Programs 50

Foster Youth Support Programs

 Comprehensive campus support programs  Offer supportive services, both academic and non academic  Located on CC, CSUs and UCs  Continuum of programs: Visit www.cacollegepathways.org

to locate  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 51

EOP/EOPS

 Essential program for low income, 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 52

Campus Services

 Disabled Students Programs and Services  20% of foster youth have a learning disability  Provides support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations  Other Services  Student Education Plan  Tutoring programs  Resources for parenting youth  Financial Aid Officers   Career and Transfer Centers College/career success courses 53

Role Play Exercise #2

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QUESTIONS?

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Contact Information For More Information: www.collegepathways.org

Debbie Raucher [email protected]

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