Foster Youth

FYSI College & Financial Aid Resources for Students - this provides information about programs and services available to support all young people who have ever been a part of the foster care system, enroll in and succeed in college. The introduction includes an overview of the California Community College (CCC) Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI) and provides critical information regarding foster youths eligibility for priority registration in CCC’s and in California State Universities.

Financial Aid Guide for California Foster Youth - There are many financial aid resources available to help you to go to college, paying not just for tuition and books, but also for costs of living like rent, food, and transportation. Some of this financial aid is even just for people who have experience in the foster care system!

Priority Enrollment

• for foster youth or former foster youth, dependency was established or continued by the court on or after the youth's 16th birthday and who is not older than 25 years of age at the commencement of the academic year.
• homeless youth under the age of 25, has been verified at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding the receipt of their application for admission

For more information regarding this amendment please visit California Legislative Information - SB 906.

Now available on campus! John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) help foster youth across the state achieve their higher education goals and move on to fulfilling careers. Once such resource provided by JBAY is the Burton Book Fund. The Burton Book Fund has provided $1.75 million in textbooks to over 6,600 current and former foster youth attending community colleges.

Did you know, you may be eligible to receive a book voucher up to $200 depending  on your enrollment status? In order to be eligible for the Burton Book fund, students must meet the following criteria:

• Was in foster care on or after their 13th birthday
• Enrolled in 6 or more units for the Fall 2018-19 semester;
• NOT eligible for or participating in a CAFYES (Next Up) program through EOPS;
• Submitted a FAFSA or CADAA

Eligible students may be pursuing a technical certification, an undergraduate degree, or graduate degree at a community college or a four-year public or private college or university. There is no minimum or maximum age; recipients are not required to have been in foster care in California but must be attending a college in California.