Legislation introduced Tuesday would ensure that young people aging out of the foster care system in Delaware have access to a college education by waiving tuition and fees, including room and board, at the state’s public institutions of higher learning.
House Bill 123 is targeted at youth who reach adulthood while in the foster care system or who have spent a significant portion of their teenage years in foster care.
“We know that young people who have been through the foster care system as teens and have aged out experience worse outcomes overall than their peers in terms of educational attainment, full-time employment, stable housing and financial independence,” said Rep. Krista Griffith, lead House sponsor of HB 123. “We can do more to make sure our students in foster care thrive as adults by removing the financial barrier to higher education. This will encourage youth in foster care to go out and earn a college degree, giving them tools they need to identify and obtain a path forward to achieving their dreams.”
“Teens and young adults in foster care rely on the system for guidance and planning for the future, when their peers typically receive this support from their families,” said House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, a co-sponsor of the legislation. “The tuition waiver program is about keeping our promise to these young people and giving them every opportunity to live productive and fulfilling lives after foster care.”
The legislation would require the University of Delaware, Delaware State University and Delaware Tech Community College to waive all tuition and fees, including room and board, for any young person who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 or later, or who has spent at least one year in foster care as a teenager. Youth enrolled as full-time students would also have access to year-round campus housing, eliminating a significant barrier. Youth would be required to apply for all available financial aid before having the remaining tuition and fees waived and would remain eligible for the waiver until age 26.