Senate Bill S9477

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S9477

SPONSOR: BROUK
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the education law, in relation to higher education fund-
ing opportunities for foster youth

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

This legislation will familiarize students and staff at public higher
education institutions with funding opportunities that foster youth may
be eligible for.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 amends the education law by adding a new subdivision 22 to
Section 355, to require the Commissioner of the Education Department and
the Commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services to
display written materials regarding available funding opportunities and
eligibility requirements for foster youth in SUNY and CUNY admissions
and financial aid offices, as well as on the websites of the New York
              

State Education Department, the Office of Children and Family Services,
and SUNY and CUNY higher education institutions.

Section 2 of the bill relates to the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Children who have spent time in the child welfare system face unique
challenges in educational settings. They tend to lack proper financial
and emotional support, which negatively affects their school enrollment,
academic performance, and graduation rates. These challenges often
restrain their ability to thrive in our higher education system. Sixty-
three percent of young people in care want to go to college but think
there are no resources. Of those that do enroll, only three to eleven
percent actually obtain a degree.

Former, current, and prospective students, as well as admissions and
financial aid staff within higher education institutions may be unaware
of potential funding opportunities that are available to foster youth.
Considering that higher education is becoming increasingly less afforda-
ble, access to financial aid is critical for foster youth in New York
State.

This bill would put in place requirements so that funding opportunities
that foster youth are eligible for are posted publicly to bring greater
awareness to these opportunities.

Access to this information will help encourage foster youth who may be
hesitant to apply by communicating that there are financial resources
available to them. This legislation would increase foster youth enroll-
ment and graduation rates in institutions of higher education across the
state of New York.

Equipping students and staff with written materials and eligibility
requirements about funding opportunities for foster youth would ensure
that students, staff, families, and the general public are aware of
their options and can empower youth to explore new possibilities.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This bill shall take effect 90 days after it becomes a law.