Postsecondary Education
Educational Advocacy
Advocacy for College
Research shows that while 86% of foster youth aspire to attend college, only 55% enroll. Of those, only 11% go on to complete a 2 or 4 year degree. The transition to college is a vulnerable and possibly traumatic experience for most foster youth. Check out this site as a one-stop shop for important information to support a Foster Youth attending college after high school. CASAs and ERHs can provide support and advocacy to empower and enable foster youth to apply, enroll and succeed in college:
share information and explore college options with the youth
support them to access financial support for tuition and living expenses
encourage care team to develop plan to help youth attain college goals
connect student with foster youth services on college campus
identify other supports and services needed
help them envision their future in college and beyond
encouragement to work hard, and to “hang in there” when college gets tough
Talking with Youth about College
Here are a number of age-appropriate ways to begin a conversation about post-secondary education options.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Ask the youth what they want to do when they grow up. Encourage enthusiasm about their future!
Tie skills they may be learning in school to real-life jobs (e.g. “you’re enjoying learning about shapes and angles? That’s awesome! Did you know that architects use that information to build skyscrapers?”).
MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL UNDERCLASSMEN
Connect with the foster youth support program on campus and ask them if you can sit in on a class, take a tour, eat in the dining hall, explore a dorm area, or meet other students already in the program.
When your student expresses interest in a particular career, research and map out what is required to achieve it (e.g. if they want to be a veterinarian, look at pre-vet and vet program requirements and admission standards).
Check out college preparatory options through the school and in your area. Programs are often available both during the year and over the summer.
HIGH SCHOOL UPPERCLASSMEN
Consider the full range of possibilities. Encourage your student to set up an appointment with a college or career counselor. See below for overview of many of the available options and steps to apply to various post-secondary programs.
College Options
COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Community colleges accept any student with a high school diploma or equivalent. At a community college, a student can receive an Associate’s Degree, complete credits to transfer to a 4-year university, or earn certificates for certain careers. Visit California Community Colleges for community college options and application instructions.
4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES
Students can apply for admission to 4-year universities/colleges as a high school senior or a transfer from a community college. Four year universities are either public (UCs or CSUs), or private (Stanford, St. Mary’s, etc).
The student you serve may be interested in exploring Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HCBU) which you can support through conversation, planning and seeking scholarships. Check out this site! Students can apply for several HBCUs with one application. It has a $20 fee, but please remember, SF CASA is happy to provide financial support for this fee.
VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS
Some students may prefer to go straight into the workforce after high school. Jobs can help a youth achieve financial and emotional independence. There are a number of industries with entry-level positions that require specific skills, rather than degrees. Before offering guidance, find out what your teen is interested in, check out some of the programs below, and do research on your own. Several programs are offered for free and grants are available for others.
Jewish Vocational Services: offers a variety of job search support services and vocational training programs to participants of any age or background
TechSF Training: various organizations in the city offer tech training programs through San Francisco's Office of Economic and Workforce Development. Basic list of programs.
Larkin Street Academy: a variety of employment and career services for homeless and at-risk youth
San Francisco Conservation Corps: hands-on job training, career counseling, and educational support (including HS Diploma or GED courses)
Job Corps (Treasure Island campus): job training and educational support (including HS Diploma or GED courses), housing is also offered
SF LGBT Center: offers resume services, networking opportunities, and career fairs to LGBT individuals
Make sure to consistently visit our Youth Opportunities page for information on internships, jobs, and training programs that can help prepare your foster youth for their life post high-school.
RESOURCES FOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE PREP RESOURCES
SF ILSP: the San Francisco Independent Living Skills Program serves foster care and probation-involved youth ages 16-20. To learn more about ILSP services, eligibility, and referrals, check out these presentation slides.
California College Pathways: resources and support for CA foster youth attending or planning to attend college, including a youth-friendly version of the website and the following helpful resource guides:
CA Community College Foster Youth Resource Guide + Enrollment Checklist
CSU Foster Youth Resource Guide + Enrollment Checklist
UC Foster Youth Resource Guide + Enrollment Checklist
Higher Education Passport: a booklet full of helpful resources and planning checklists.
Please consult with your SFCASA Case Supervisor about local college prep programs that could fit your youth's unique goals and academic history.
COLLEGE STUDENTS
Foster Youth Support Programs
Each public college (community and four-year) has a campus support program for Foster Youth. For example, Community College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University have the Guardian Scholars Program, UC Berkeley has the Berkeley Hope Scholars. Find a statewide list of programs here. Programs and the support provided vary, but in general provide support with:
Books & supply grants
Enrollment
Career guidance
Child care & transportation assistance
Counseling
Financial literacy & independent living skills support
Health service referrals
Housing assistance
Mental health services
Service coordination
Transfer services
Tutoring
SFCASA recommends connecting with the program at the campus your youth is interested in attending at every stage of the process; are they potentially interested in college? Reach out and schedule a visit and tour to learn about programs offered! Has the youth already decided on a school and needs help with enrollment or financial aid? Connect them with their respective support program!
Financial Aid
FAFSA is undergoing many changes. The application is open, but it is a ‘soft launch’. Thus, the form is available periodically. Please click here for the most up-to-date information.
Current and former foster youth are eligible for:
College application and enrollment fee waivers
Federal Work-Study
The maximum federal aid amount ($5,000)
Federal Pell Grants
Cal Grants
Chafee Grants (Available for Foster Youth Only and only requires a one-time application; a Foster Youth will not have to reapply every year)
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
ILSP: If a youth has an unmet need after applying for financial aid, they are eligible to receive scholarships from their local ISLP program. SFILSP supplemental grant application
Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) Scholarships Offers a total of 26 scholarship opportunities with a variety of eligibility requirements and award amounts to support students on their pathway to a college degree. Deadline for Submission is February 29, 2024 at 12p PST.
City Youth Now Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to help pay for higher education and vocational expenses. In the past, these scholarships have been awarded to approximately five youth per year, with each scholarship ranging in value from $1,000 to $3,000. Deadline is April 1, 2024.
SF Mayor’s Bridge to Excellence Scholarship: The purpose of the Bridge to Excellence scholarship is to enable San Francisco's highly-motivated, first-generation high school students from low-income and under-resourced communities to overcome financial barriers to attend four-year colleges, and fulfill their greatest potential. Deadline is March 15.
Trade School Scholarship: The American Industries Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to eligible students who have been accepted into an accredited 2-year public or nonprofit vocational school or college.
The first step to accessing any of the above resources is to fill out the FAFSA application. This application must be completed annually. JBAY hosted a FAFSA/CADAA Training Webinar about important changes to these applications and the steps to take to ensure that these applications are completed correctly for students experiencing homelessness as well as those in foster care. Here is the most up-to-date information on Financial Aid Completion for California Foster and Homeless Youth.
In addition, JBAY created tips sheets of five things students can do before the launch of the new FAFSA and CADAA in December. All students are encouraged to create their FSA ID online before completing the FAFSA, since it takes a few days to process. In addition, students with experience in foster care can begin submitting their Chafee Grant application now for the 2024-2025 academic school year. To learn more tips for students experiencing homelessness, visit here. For students with experience in the foster care system, visit here.
Undocumented and nonresident students are not eligible for FAFSA funds; however, they may apply annually for the CA Dream Act.
For more information, see the Financial Aid section of the Higher Education Passport or view the SFCASA Financial Aid Webinar.
Housing & Enrollment Rights
Current and former foster youth get priority housing and priority enrollment on college campuses.
Housing: California requires UCs and CSUs to give foster youth priority for on-campus housing. California community colleges are not required to give priority to foster youth, but many do. In addition, CSUs with student housing open during school breaks (or on a year-round basis) must give first priority to current and former foster youth. UCs are only required to do so for foster youth who are otherwise eligible for a particular campus housing facility.
Enrollment: California law requires that community colleges and CSUs give priority course enrollment to foster youth. Make sure to be in touch with the foster youth support program to ensure that priority is properly awarded. Priority enrollment is not required at UCs, but many of them also offer priority enrollment as well—just ask!
Other On-Campus Support Programs
EOP/EOPS: These are programs designed to support low-income and educationally disadvantaged communities on college campuses. The application process and resources vary by school. Here’s a Foster Youth Support Directory for colleges in California. This is an additional resource to support foster youth while attending college.
Disabled Students Programs: Programs on college campuses designed to support youth with disabilities. If the youth had an IEP or 504 Plan in secondary school or feels they need to be assessed for a disability that affects learning, they should connect with this program to receive supports and accommodations.