zlacker

>>pessim+(OP)
What is the legal status of foster kids with regard to general financial aid? Is their parents' income considered to be $0? Does the government want the parents' income information? (This used to be the norm for non-custodial and estranged parents.)

It feels great to say "California's most vulnerable young people can take agency over their lives by seeking higher education," but how much is this changing? And since we know most high school grads aren't prepared to basic college freshman classes (cough social promotion cough), then how many of these foster kids are really going to benefit, rather than just spinning their wheels before they fail out?

This feels a lot like a big headline that makes people feel good but doesn't actually do much (if anything, or makes things worse).

>>bright+R7
0 EFC. No info on parents required (FAFSA) and asset information can also be skipped. Anything past community college won't necessarily be covered, though.

About 61% of foster youth in California graduate high school on time. Past 18 things turn into a messy patchwork of semi support, simply successfully transitioning to a point with a high school diploma, a job, and stable housing is a success story. Many are homeless at points, and living on the street is the backup plan if anything goes wrong. (Note: non-CA experience, but Google shows a similar alphabet soup in CA.)

NFYI says about 3-4% of foster youth graduate with a 4 year degree.