Davis, Krishnamoorthi, Casey introduce legislation to Foster Success in Higher Education for foster and homeless youth

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 19, 2023— Representative Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Fostering Success in Higher Education Act to improve college access, retention, and graduation rates for foster and homeless youth.

A college degree dramatically increases employment and earnings. Although the vast majority of foster and homeless youth want to attend college, these youth experience multiple challenges (such as financial hardship, housing insecurity, and poor academic preparation) that undermine enrollment and completion. Additionally, these youth are at a higher risk of physical and mental health effects from traumas, poor health care, and other stressors that undermine college success. Less than 10% of foster youth obtain a 2-year or 4-year degree by age 23. Similarly, young adults who experienced homelessness were less than one-third as likely to be enrolled in a 4-year college as their stably-housed peers.

The Fostering Success in Higher Education Act would substantially improve state capacity to assist these students, helping them cover the cost of college and providing robust support and mental health services. This legislation would invest $150 million a year in states, tribes, and territories to establish or expand statewide initiatives to assist foster and homeless youth in enrolling in and graduating from college.

Formula grants to states would be based on their share of foster and homeless youth with the majority of funds for developing Institutions of Excellence skilled at graduating these students with little-to-no debt.

“Frederick Douglass held that it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” said Rep. Davis. “The Fostering Success in Higher Education Act helps ensure that foster and homeless youth have the best chance in school, work, and life so that they can be the leaders they want to be. This bill is needed now more than ever to help foster and homeless youth turn their dreams of being college graduates into reality.”