FACT Boosts College Success Rates for Foster Youth

Each year, Foster Angels of Central Texas (FACT) works to improve the outcomes for thousands of children and older youth who experience foster care across a 30-county region.

The transition to adulthood can be challenging for young people, but youth aging out of foster care often face this time alone--without the support of family or caseworker services they received in the foster care system. Not surprisingly, these young adults are more likely to experience behavioral and mental health issues, homelessness, incarceration, and other hardships.

However, negative outcomes for these young people are not guaranteed. FACT provides resources to young people ages 18 - 26 to help with housing, transportation, food access, and education needs.

Education plays a large role in breaking the cycle by providing the skills and knowledge needed to secure stable employment and improve overall quality of life for former foster youth. Only 50% of former foster youth in Texas graduate high school, and they have even lower rates for achieving a post-secondary degree.

The State of Texas provides a free tuition waiver for eligible former foster youth attending state-supported vocational schools, colleges, and universities. The state’s free tuition waiver is helpful, but with other major expenses not included in the waiver — housing, food, books, transportation, etc. — many former foster youth do not see post-secondary education as an attainable option. In addition, many of these youth exit care without a caring adult in their lives who can provide encouragement, advice and support to help them navigate a post-secondary environment. These factors contribute to the low completion rate for this population in Texas.

Foster Angels has established a college success program that builds on the free tuition provided by the state and provides expanded financial support and mentorship to place former foster youth on a path to post-secondary success. Our approach is two-pronged, offering additional financial stipends as well as mentorship. Since launching in 2018, the FACT post-secondary education program has achieved a 60% completion rate, compared to 3% for former foster students state-wide.

Now, with the support of Sooch Foundation and other individuals, foundations and partner organizations, Foster Angels is exploring how to expand our capacity to help more former foster youth attain a degree or certificate. In addition, we will expand our scope to include assistance with career development and entry into the workforce.

Together, our community can help vulnerable young people with programs and support to attain an education, secure better jobs and achieve economic independence.