The Fostering Success in Higher Education Act would improve college access, retention, and completion rates for foster and homeless youth by substantially improving state capacity to support these students as they transition to and attend college. Specifically, this bill would: Invest $150 million a year in States, tribes, & territories to establish or expand statewide initiatives to assist foster and homeless youth in enrolling in and graduating from institutions of higher education; Establish formula grants to states based on a state’s share of foster youth and homeless youth among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with a $500,000 minimum grant; Dedicate 70 percent of state grants to develop Institutions of Excellence committed to serving foster and homeless youth via robust support services, in collaboration with organizations skilled at helping these populations, and substantial financial assistance, including covering the remaining cost of attendance beyond federal and state grants, providing comprehensive wraparound services, hiring at least one full-time case manager, and ensuring robust student health and mental services; Direct 25 percent of state grants to establish intensive, statewide transition initiatives to improve the college going culture and increase college enrollment by foster and homeless youth; Provide 7 percent of funds for technical assistance and evaluation to inform best practices; and Reserve 3 percent of funds to tribes, tribal consortia, or tribal organizations and 2% for territories.
Status Summary
Senate - 02/09/2022 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.