College has always been a means for youth to maximize their education, secure a good job, and grow independently. For some youth - like those in foster care - college can mean freedom from their past and a future rich with possibilities, according to Casey Family Programs.

But higher education for foster care youth continues to present significant challenges for all parties involved.

"Few students from foster care ever gain access to higher education programs, let alone graduate from college. Only about 10 percent of students from foster care enroll in higher education with less than 2 percent obtaining bachelor's degrees," according to a recent report by the Casey Family Programs.

Youth from foster care rarely receive the guidance or support needed to attend higher learning institutions, and very few expected them to access or succeed in college. Unemployment and homelessness plague these youth after they have aged out of their foster care.

Institutions, policymakers, states, and advocates have started addressing the issues. They are calling for policy advances, practice innovations, and influential advocacy.

In another push to help youth from foster care access and succeed in higher education, the Casey Family Program has implemented a new framework, Supporting Success: Improving Higher Education Outcomes for Students from Foster Care. This publication provides program development information and tools for college student support services, administrators, advisors, financial aid counselors and advocates. The publication also provides background information, recommendations, strategies and model program examples to assist colleges in improving their support for students coming from foster care.

Free, electronic copies of this publication are available on the Casey Family Programs' Web site.

By Michael Jones II
NASFAA Communications Intern

Posted 07/24/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited. Please submit Web Site questions or comments to Web@NASFAA.org.