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Scholarships and supports available to foster care alumni: A study of 12 programs across the US

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  • Hernandez, Liliana
  • Naccarato, Toni

Abstract

Postsecondary education remains unattainable for many foster care alumni. This can be attributed to many factors including inadequate academic preparation, and a lack of financial, housing and supportive services available to college students from foster care. This exploratory study gathers qualitative data from twelve college programs nationwide that provide scholarship and supportive services to foster care alumni attending postsecondary education. Findings illustrate six major themes of youth's unmet needs: academic preparation; housing; financial assistance; the need for emergency assistance; youth's personal challenges; and, the need for advocacy. Program coordinators state the importance of accessibility, advocacy, academic supports in the form of tutoring and mentoring; assistance in finding housing; scholarships; emergency financial assistance; access to health and mental health providers; and, outreach programs to college bound foster youth. Recommendations explore furthering tuition waiver programs and supportive services that address the emotional, financial and housing needs of foster care alumni attending college.

Suggested Citation

  • Hernandez, Liliana & Naccarato, Toni, 2010. "Scholarships and supports available to foster care alumni: A study of 12 programs across the US," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 758-766, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:32:y:2010:i:5:p:758-766
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    1. Jackson, M. Sebrena & Dozier, Krystal & Colvin, Alex D. & Bullock, Angela N., 2022. "Exploring the self-efficacy of foster youth participating in a pre-college summer program," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    2. Opsal, Tara & Eman, Rebecca, 2018. "Invisible vulnerability: Participant perceptions of a campus-based program for students without caregivers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 617-627.
    3. Jay Miller, J. & Benner, Kalea & Kheibari, Athena & Washington, Earl, 2017. "Conceptualizing on-campus support programs for collegiate foster youth and alumni: A plan for action," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 57-67.
    4. Day, Angelique & Riebschleger, Joanne & Dworsky, Amy & Damashek, Amy & Fogarty, Kieran, 2012. "Maximizing educational opportunities for youth aging out of foster care by engaging youth voices in a partnership for social change," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 34(5), pages 1007-1014.
    5. Kim, Youngmi & Ju, Eunsu & Rosenberg, Rachel & Farmer, Elizabeth (Betsy) M.Z., 2019. "Estimating the effects of independent living services on educational attainment and employment of foster care youth," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 294-301.
    6. Salazar, Amy M. & Roe, Stephanie S. & Ullrich, Jessica S. & Haggerty, Kevin P., 2016. "Professional and youth perspectives on higher education-focused interventions for youth transitioning from foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 23-34.
    7. Geiger, Jennifer M. & Piel, Megan Hayes & Day, Angelique & Schelbe, Lisa, 2018. "A descriptive analysis of programs serving foster care alumni in higher education: Challenges and opportunities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 287-294.
    8. Miller, J. Jay & Benner, Kalea & Donohue-Dioh, Jessica & Segress, Melissa, 2019. "Supporting collegiate foster youth and alumni: A mixed-method planning approach for higher education," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 67-76.
    9. Tobolowsky, Barbara F. & Scannapieco, Maria & Aguiniga, Donna M. & Madden, Elissa E., 2019. "Former foster youth experiences with higher education: Opportunities and challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 1-1.
    10. Morton, Brenda M., 2017. "Growing up fast: Implications for foster youth when independence and early adulthood collide," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 156-161.
    11. Watt, Toni & Faulkner, Monica, 2020. "The Texas tuition and fee waiver program for youth who have experienced foster care: An assessment of waiver utilization and impact," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    12. Salazar, Amy M. & Haggerty, Kevin P. & Roe, Stephanie S., 2016. "Fostering Higher Education: A postsecondary access and retention intervention for youth with foster care experience," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 46-56.
    13. Day, Angelique & Dworsky, Amy & Fogarty, Kieran & Damashek, Amy, 2011. "An examination of post-secondary retention and graduation among foster care youth enrolled in a four-year university," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(11), pages 2335-2341.
    14. Woodgate, Roberta L. & Morakinyo, Oluwatobiloba & Martin, Katrina M., 2017. "Interventions for youth aging out of care: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 280-300.
    15. Cheatham, Leah P. & Luo, Yan & Hubbard, Shannon & Jackson, M. Sebrena & Hassenbein, Will & Bertram, Jess, 2021. "Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    16. Okpych, Nathanael J. & Park, Sunggeun (Ethan) & Sayed, Samiya & Courtney, Mark E., 2020. "The roles of Campus-Support Programs (CSPs) and Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) on college persistence for youth with foster care histories," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    17. Randolph, Karen A. & Thompson, Heather, 2017. "A systematic review of interventions to improve post-secondary educational outcomes among foster care alumni," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 602-611.
    18. Watt, Toni & Lord, Kayli & Bustillos, Sheila & Gavin-Williams, Regina & Greeson, Johanna & Hail, Toni & Hoffman-Cooper, Angela, 2023. "Campus liaisons for students who have experienced foster care: Lessons learned from Texas legislation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    19. Unrau, Yvonne A. & Dawson, Ann & Hamilton, Ronicka D. & Bennett, Jamie L., 2017. "Perceived value of a campus-based college support program by students who aged out of foster care," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 64-73.
    20. Villegas, Susy & Rosenthal, James & O'Brien, Kirk & Pecora, Peter J., 2014. "Educational outcomes for adults formerly in foster care: The role of ethnicity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 42-52.
    21. Kirk, Rosalind & Day, Angelique, 2011. "Increasing college access for youth aging out of foster care: Evaluation of a summer camp program for foster youth transitioning from high school to college," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1173-1180, July.
    22. Blakeslee, Jennifer & Miller, Rebecca & Uretsky, Mathew, 2022. "Efficacy of the Project Futures self-determination coaching model for college students with foster care backgrounds and mental health challenges," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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