Youth with a foster care background frequently encounter instability within the foster care system. Despite 60% of foster youth expressing the desire to make college their reality, only 20% of young people successfully enroll in college due to unstable support and guidance in navigating higher education.

With the support of The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI), youth with a foster care background have access to a range of resources, including summer college preparation, on-campus academic advice, stable housing, and other essential financial and academic assistance. Since the program's inception in 2015, the FYCSI has supported over 2,000 youth attending over 100 colleges and universities across New York State. Recent data highlights that FYCSI recipients demonstrate higher retention and graduation rates compared to their peers.

Earlier this year, Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2024-25 budget proposal allocated $7.92 million in the Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI). However, this allocation falls short of the $10 million needed to fully meet the growing number of college students with a foster care background. We are urging New York State to uphold its responsibility to ensure foster youth have the opportunity to make their college dreams a tangible reality!