TURNING DREAMS INTO DEGREES

1. TURNING DREAMSINTO DEGREES Ed. Course 2: Supporting Successful Transitions from High School to College

3. Acknowledgements This presentation was developed by John Burton Advocates for Youth and UNITE-LA, with input from L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) specialists. This curriculum is part of an overall strategy within the L.A. Opportunity Youth Collaborative’s Foster Youth College Advancement Project to increase postsecondary attainment for foster youth in Los Angeles County.

4. Agenda

5. Why College? Understanding what is at stake for our youth

6. Are they a former foster youth? Colin Kaepernick, Former NFL Quarterback Attended University of NV Bobby Cagle, DCFS Director Attended UNC Chapel Hill Richard Martinez, Pomona USD Superintendent Attended Cal State L.A. Faith Hill, Singer Attended Hinds Community College Steve Jobs, Co-Founder of Apple Attended Reed College Simone Biles, Olympic Gold Medalist Attending University of the People

7. Education Pays Off Median Annual Salaries, by Education Level This translates to $1 MILLION more dollars over your lifetime! $61,400 $46,000 $36,800 Bachelor’s Degree H.S. Diploma Associate Degree Source: College Board, “Education Pays” (2016)

8. Education Pays Off in Other Ways...

9. College Aspirations vs. College Realities 91% want to go to college

10. College Aspirations vs. College Realities 43%enroll in college

11. College Aspirations vs. College Realities 8% complete a degree

12. A College Path for Everyone Understanding available higher education options

13. Finding Your Best Fit • Affordable option for a 2-year degree (Associate’s Degree), certificate or CTE program, or transfer path to a 4-year school • Many resources and supports for foster youth • Smaller classes, but often a longer time for completion • More accessible: No GPA minimum, admissions tests or essays. Open to everyone! • Priority transfer admission to CSU’s, UC’s, and more than 37 HBCUs! • Close to home, but generally no housing available East Los Angeles College • Affordable option for a 4-year degree (bachelor’s degree) • Many resources and supports for foster youth • Typically larger class sizes • Have a selective admissions process that requires testing and essays • Higher tuition than community colleges but financial aid is available • Generally offer housing (ex: dorms, apartments) CSU Long Beach or UCLA

14. Finding Your Best Fit • Typically more expensive 4-year degree at a UC or CSU, however, financial aid may be available • Some have smaller class sizes • Typically have a selective admissions process that requires testing and essays • Foster youth specific resources vary by school • Generally offer housing (ex: dorms, apartments) USC • Typically more expensive than a 4-year degree at a UC or CSU, however, financial aid may be available • Large and small class sizes • Can provide a new environment, or can be culture shock • Admissions processes vary by school • Foster youth specific resources vary by school • Housing options will vary by school Arizona State University

15. Career & Technical Ed. (CTE) • Can be shorter programs (ex: 6 - 12 months) • Financial aid is available • Many CTE programs offered at community colleges, which foster youth can often attend for free • Programs prepare students for good-paying jobs in specific industries • Manufacturing • Transportation • Agriculture • Architecture • Bio Technology • Culinary Arts • Construction • Fashion • Healthcare • And more! Earn a Plumbing Technology certificate at L.A. Trade Tech and make $60,000!

16. PROPRIETARY OR FOR-PROFIT (PRIVATE) VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS • Costs more than similar community college programs • High rates of student debt • Poor job outcomes • Some are under federal investigation • Use extreme caution before enrolling

17. TIP: Do it together! Tools for Exploring Career Paths • Learn what the cost of living is in your community and what you need to earn using the Living Wage Calculator: livingwage.mit.edu • Take a career assessment, explore careers, and find California Community College programs with My Path: www.cccmypath.org • Find degree programs that match your career interests with Here to Career, amobile app developed by the CA Community colleges. • A free web-based career exploration system where students can learn about their career interests: www.cacareerzone.com • Explore the real earnings of California Community College graduates, by program type, using Salary Surfer: salarysurfer.cccco.edu

18. Salary Surfer: Explore the real earnings of California Community College graduates: salarysurfer.cccco.edu • Videos • Medium Annual Salary • Example, median annual salary for a certificate in Computer Programming will make $50,233 2- years after graduating and $75,885 5-years after • List of colleges that offer that program

19. Setting up Foster Youth for College Success Resources and supports for foster youth

20. At least one FYSI Liaison for foster youth is at each of the California community college campuses. Foster Youth Success Initiative (FYSI)-http://extranet.cccco.edu/Divisions/StudentServices /FosterYouthSuccessInitiatives.aspx Often housed in the financial aid office

21. Extended Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS)andEducational Opportunity Program (EOP)

22. Academic and personal counseling; Emotional support NextUp (FormerlyCAFYES)-nextup.cccco.edu Books & supplies Seminars & workshops • Students must be: • Under age 26 • In foster care on or after their 16th birthday • Enrolled in at least 9 units • Also apply for EOP&S Meal cards, bus passes, gas cards Tutoring Cultural events Agency and community referrals

23. Foster Youth Campus Support Programs Campus advocate Have a central touchpoint to serve as “one-stop” resource on campus Sense of Community Connect with others with similar experiences to normalize being a FY in college Additional Resources May offer meal vouchers and other resources to fill gaps Support specific to foster youth Offer workshops and partnerships tailored for FY • Various names: Guardian Scholars, Renaissance Scholars, LINC, etc. • Found at most community colleges, CSU’s, UC’s and some private schools • Exact program eligbility requirements and services will vary by school.

24. General Campus Resources & Supports Tutoring Counseling & Psychological Services CalWorks & CARE Student Disability Services Food Assistance Cultural Programing & Student Clubs

25. www.student.cacollegepathways.org STUDENT RESOURCE PORTAL *Find campus contact information here!

26. DCFS Independent Living Program Youth who were in foster care or KinGAP at any time between ages 16-18 can request an ILP Transition Coordinator to work with them until age 21. In addition to senior year expenses, ILP provides financial assistance with college tuition, books, supplies, transportation, clothing and other related college costs. www.ilponline.org – you can subscribe for email alerts! youthds@dcfs.lacounty.gov (877) 694-5741(213) 351-0100 / 0101 The Individualized Transition Skills Program can also provide more one-on-one support.

27. EducationPlanning Milestones Helping foster youth chart a course to college

28. Foster Youth Educational Planning Guide Use the Foster Youth Educational Planning Guidefor step-by-step information on how to prepare and apply to college Available for FREE at: www.jbay.org/fy-ed-planning-guide

29. College Readiness starts early! Foundations for success in grades 9-10: • COLLEGE AWARENESS • Attend a college fair • Connect with ILP college tours • Sign up for extracurricular activities and electives • COLLEGE PLANNING • Sign up for the PSAT or practice ACT in 10th grade (fee waiver available) • CAREER EXPLORATION • Take a career assessment • Connect with ILP, such as Teen Club • Create a resume • Find a summer job/internship • ACADEMIC READINESS • Meet with your school counselor • Enroll in “A-G” college prep courses • Maintain school attendance • Seek tutoring, as needed

30. Grade 11: Preparing to Graduate • Sign up for a dual enrollment college course, if available • Begin visiting college websites to learn more about available majors • Use summer break to visit a college campus • Visit your library for free SAT or ACT study aids • Request an SAT or ACT fee waiver from school counselor • Take the SAT or ACT • Use summer to prep or retake exam • Sign up for electives and extracurricular activities to explore careers • Attend ILP Teen Club to meet career speakers • Find a summer job/internship or part-time job after school • Meet with counselor; enroll in “A-G” courses • Maintain attendance • Seek tutoring & advocate for additional supports, if applicable • Use summer to get ahead or make up classes

31. Grade 12: Staying Focused • Sign up for a dual enrollment college course, if available • Visit colleges in person or take a virtual tour to determine which colleges to apply to • Narrow down college major interests • Request fee waivers and take or retake the SAT or ACT • Request fee waivers and submit college applications • Complete financial aid applications • Connect with ILP and college programs • Sign up for electives and extracurricular activities to explore careers • Attend ILP Teen Club to meet career speakers • Find a summer job/internship or part-time job after school • Meet with counselor; enroll in “A-G” courses • Maintain attendance • Seek tutoring & advocate for additional supports, if applicable

32. Grade12: Applying to a CSU or UC Retake the SAT or ACT, if needed – request additional fee waiver from counselor Apply to 4 CSUs & 4 UCs for free via with a fee waiver Pay attention to college application deadlines – they can differ by college Self-identify as a foster youth on the application to learn about services later Indicate if you want on-campus housing at each campus- foster youth qualify for priority housing Apply for EOP. This application is embedded within the CSU application. Take advantage of priority registration for foster youth, if eligible. Find campus support program staff on CA College Pathways website

33. Grade12: Applying to CA Community Colleges Apply at www.cccapply.org in the Spring. Deadlines vary by college. Self-identify as a foster youth on the application to learn about services later Apply for EOP&S, and NextUp if offered, as soon as possible Find campus support program staff on CA College Pathways website Foster youth receive priority registration at community college by completing 3 steps listed below. Contact your college or learn more about the process at: www.stepforward.cccco.edu

34. Where to Get Support High School Counselor: can help youth obtain a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT and make sure they are taking the right classes to reach their goals. Foster Youth District Liaison (AB 490 Liaison): can help collect transcripts from different schools, assist students in obtaining partial credits to stay on track for graduation, identify tutoring resources at the district and in the community, and assist with determinations for AB 167/216 (graduation requirements for foster youth). Child and Family Team (CFT) Meeting: can be used to make a plan to identify adults to help foster youth with various parts of the college application and identify available resources, such as ILP services.

35. Payingfor College Understanding financial aid resources and processes

36. Who gets financial aid? 85% of first-time full-time undergraduates received some type of financial aid in the 2014-15 school year

37. Free Resource:Financial Aid Guide for CA Foster Youth • www. student.cacollegepathways.org/ financial-aid • or • www.jbay.org/ca-fy-financial-aid-guide

38. Free Resource:Visual Guide • www. cacollegepathways.org/financial-aid or • www.jbay.org/ca-fy-financial-aid-guide

39. Definition of “Financial Need” Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Demonstrated Financial Need Amount student is able to “contribute” to COA. Generally is based on income, assets, household size, etc. Total amount it costs to attend college, including: tuition, housing, books, supplies, etc. Financial Aid: can include grants, scholarships, loans, etc.

40. What do we mean by “Financial Aid”? Gift Aid (Free) Grants = *FREE Money! Scholarships = *FREE Money! • Fee Waiver = FREE Classes! Financial aid can come from the state or federal government, from colleges or universities directly, and from private organizations and companies. Work (Earn) Work-Study = EARN a paycheck Loans (Pay Back) Loans = PAY BACK with interest *Students are expected to attend and successfully complete classes

41. Maintaining Financial Aid: Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) With the exception of student loans, financial aid does not need to be repaid if the student holds up their end of the bargain.

42. If the applicant is a U.S. Citizen, a permanent resident or other eligible non-citizen: • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.govor via the new mobile app called “My Student Aid” How to Apply for Financial Aid If the applicant is an undocumented immigrant: Complete the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) at dream.csac.ca.gov Note: Students can complete a CADAA whether or not they have DACA; students with a temporary social security number issued through DACA should submit a CADAA, not a FAFSA.

43. Note on Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS)

44. When to Apply • Priority application period for FAFSA/CADAA is October 1-March 2 before the start of the school year that you will begin college • School years begin in the Fall term. If a student is applying for summer session, that is usually part of the previous academic year • Apply EARLY to get the maximum aid award as possible • Community college students may apply up until September 2, but some aid is first-come, first-served • Colleges may have earlier priority deadlines, so check directly with each school’s financial aid office • Continuing students can still apply for aid, even if late

45. What Youth Need to File FAFSA or CADAA TIP:Make sure students know their name exactly as it appears on their Social Security Card TIP: Use an email address that students check often. Avoid high school emails that often expire.

46. Dependency Determination Dependency Status on the FAFSA Current or former foster youth may qualify for “Independent Student Status” on the FAFSA if they can answer “Yes” to any part of either of these two questions: “At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court?” OR “Does someone other than your parents or stepparent have legal guardianship of you, as determined by a court in your state of legal residence?”

47. Additional Special Considerations for Foster Youth • Foster youth DO NOT have to report the following information in the financial section : • Extended Foster Care (AB 12) benefits, commonly known as SILP payments, even if SILP payments are sent directly to youth. • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Foster youth should self-identify on the FAFSA by marking yes to the question asking: “are you a foster youth or were you at any time in the foster care system”

48. Federal Pell Grant Common Type of Federal Aid • Awards up to $6,095 per academic year plus an additional $2,960 during the summer if enrolled full-time • Award amount is pro-rated if enrolled less than full-time. • For low-income students, which most foster youth qualify for. • FREE cash for college!

49. Common Types of State Aid GPA MUST BE SUBMITTED AND MATCHED TO QUALIFY

50. Three Steps to Maximizing Aid