Please join us for a 5-part webinar series featuring students, child welfare leaders, and education experts who will share their insights about what makes a positive difference for foster youth pursuing higher education.
Making College Success a Reality: Maximizing Financial Aid & Cash Assistance
August 17, 2021 • 10:00 am – 11:00 am (Eastern)
The Fostering Youth Success Alliance (FYSA) invites you to a webinar presented in partnership with OCFS, HESC and ACS. This session provides an overview of recent and temporary changes in various financial aid and cash assistance programs available to youth with a foster care background across the state. Information and guidance will be shared on how to access available funding.
WEBINAR #5: Guide Navigation for Academic Counselors and Advisors
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 • 3:00 pm (Eastern)
This webinar focuses on how to prepare students with a foster care background to access and receive financial support to meet their higher education needs. It offers recommendations for how to assist foster youth with completing financial aid applications and managing the cost of attendance. The discussion includes additional considerations all financial aid administrations should know to help students avoid gaps in financial aid that may affect their college enrollment and matriculation. Additionally, a student from foster care will share personal reflections about the challenges they faced in paying for college.
WEBINAR #4: Maximizing Financial Aid for Foster Youth
Tuesday, July 14, 2020 • 11:00 am (Eastern)
This webinar highlights how campus staff (admissions, academic, and support) can help students from foster care successfully navigate college life. It includes an overview of three effective campus programs established to support foster youth, and recommendations for how to replicate and enhance programs at your institution.
WEBINAR #3: Guide Navigation for Parents, Caretakers, Child Welfare Staff and Students
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (Eastern)
This webinar provides information, tips, and strategies to support students from foster care as they make the challenging transition to college. Participants will learn about available tools and resources that promote a more successful collegiate experience for youth with a foster care background. A student and parent (or advocate) will share what helped and what hindered their progress in school.
WEBINAR #2: The Foster Youth College Success Initiative
Thursday, June 18, 2020 • 11:00 am - 11:45 am (Eastern)
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This webinar, presented in partnership with the New York State Education Department, provides a detailed overview of the New York State Foster Youth College Success Initiative. It includes information about the program goals, recent program changes, student eligibility requirements, and the funding distribution process. Representatives from CUNY, SUNY, and NYS OCFS share guidance for how schools and students can access available funding.
WEBINAR #1: Using the College Success Resource Guide
Thursday, May 28, 2020 • 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Eastern)
This presentation provides context for why and how New York State should support the transition to higher education for youth in foster care. It outlines the available resources and strategies that lead to the successful completion of college for students with a foster care background. It also features a discussion about current educational outcomes data, a top-line review of how to navigate the College Success Resource Guide contents, and a powerful testimonial from a recent college graduate.