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Post-Secondary Education: Opportunities for Foster Youth in the Era of AB12Version 2.0 November 28, 2012

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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

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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

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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

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What challenges do foster youth currently face in higher education?

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AB 12 Will Address Many of These Issues by Providing….

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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 Post-Secondary Education

Foster Youth

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Child Welfare

In the future…

Post-Secondary Education

Foster Youth

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Encouraging Education Participation: An Evidence Based Approach

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Encourage youth who think they can’t go to college

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….”

“No one rises to low expectations”

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Early Preparation

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

“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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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

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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

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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

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

“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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Access – Admission and Enrollment

Community Colleges - Admissions

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Community Colleges – Admissions & Assessment Assessment-COMPASS Evaluation Online ID Checking e-mail

Benefits of self-identifying as foster youth

Applying for EOPS

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Financial Aid

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Costs of Attending CollegeCommunity 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

Chafee

BOG fee waiver

Work Study

Loans

Scholar-ships

Cal-Grant

Federal Grants

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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

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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

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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

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Chafee Grants Requirements

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

Enrollment requirements GPA requirements

Troubleshooting delays in financial aid payments

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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

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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.)

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

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Support Resources for Foster Youth

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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

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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

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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

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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 Raucherdebbie@johnburtonfoundation.org