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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?