US: Four Ways to Help Young People with Foster Care Experience Afford College (Commentary)
Urban Institute – April 19, 2023
On average, a college degree improves a person’s employment prospects, career earnings, and lifetime financial stability. But not everyone has an equal opportunity to secure a degree. Young people with foster care experience are less likely to enroll in and graduate from college than their counterparts. One key reason is they often can’t afford it; most can’t rely on their families for financial support, and many must work while enrolled to make ends meet. The Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program provides up to $5,000 per year to students who have foster care experience to help pay for postsecondary education. Participating in the ETV program is correlated with higher rates of enrolling in four-year schools, staying enrolled, and graduating from college.
https://www.urban.org/urban-wire/four-ways-help-young-people-foster-care-experience-afford-college