For Immediate Release: February 7, 2023

Contact: Kerrie Lindecker, Kerrie.Lindecker@sen.ca.gov (Majority Leader McGuire)
                  Michelle Sherwood, Michelle.Sherwood@sen.ca.gov (Senator Ashby)

Senators McGuire and Ashby introduce legislation making college debt free for California’s foster students

SACRAMENTO, CA – On Thursday, Senator Angelique V. Ashby (D-Sacramento) and Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire (D-North Coast) introduced SB 307, the College for Foster Youth Act, which will make debt free college a reality for foster students in California.

“My father spent his life fighting to improve the lives of children who find themselves in the foster care system,” said Senator Ashby. “This bill is presented in honor and furtherance of his incredible legacy. To give California’s foster youth the certainty of a debt free collegiate future, is to ensure they know that they are loved and supported.”

“Every foster youth deserves the opportunity to achieve their college dream, but in too many cases, that dream is out of reach due to financial barriers and extreme challenges that come about in the foster system. This is simply unacceptable,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike McGuire. “SB 307 will change countless lives by guaranteeing California’s foster youth the financial resources to go to and through college. We’re excited to partner with Senator Ashby, John Burton Advocates for Youth and young leaders across the State to get this legislation across the finish line.”

“Foster youth often arrive at college with a host of challenges stemming from their time in the foster care system, a childhood marked by instability, and the long-term impacts of the abuse or neglect that brought them to the attention of the child welfare system. Even small gaps in funding can derail college entirely for foster youth, who are typically without family support and living in financially precarious situations. And while foster youth face many challenges, they are also a population with enormous potential. By covering these shortfalls, the Fostering Futures program will make college possible for California’s most vulnerable students,” said Debbie Raucher, Director of Education, John Burton Advocates for Youth.

Many children and youth enter foster care due to serious abuse and neglect. This trauma is often compounded by the instability they experience while in foster care, through placement and school changes. Together, these circumstances may lead to poor educational outcomes, most notably low rates of college completion. While about 64% of foster youth graduate high school (compared to 86% statewide), only 3-4% of former foster youth obtain a 4-year college degree. Students in foster care are one of the most vulnerable and underperforming education subgroups in the state, due to instability in home and school placements. SB 307 seeks to reverse this trend by making debt free college a reality for foster youth in California.

Studies have shown that for foster youth who are able to enroll in higher education, many face barriers such as education costs, reliable housing and living expenses. Alleviating education costs have improved foster youth college attendance and graduation rates.

SB 307 builds upon Governor Newsom’s vision for debt-free college for all students by establishing the Fostering Futures program, within the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS Program.) This bill will allow foster youth enrolled in an associate’s degree or certificate program at a community college or a four-year program at a CSU or UC to have 100% of their unmet needs covered after other aid is applied.

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