Foster teens who are college bound will get FREE tuition after filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Financial Aid), and there are additional transition resources to help pay for room and board (apartments and food), books, computers and transportation. Students must still meet admissions requirements for a four year college, but financial aid will apply to a Community College or accredited Career and Technical institution as well. Follow this link for additional information: 10 Facts Foster Youth Should Know
When I went to college in 1989, I was in a foster home. My guardians loved me very much, but explained to me at the time, "We are not going to adopt you because you can get a free college education." Not being adopted did not make me feel unloved, or that I did not belong in their family. All foster parents who have the perspective of their foster child's future in mind are loving because they are not focused on their own pat on the back for doing a good deed for mankind.
As a second example, we took in a teenager for her 9th, 10th and part of 11th grade school years. She did not want to be adopted, and moved out of our house before she graduated. However, when she was in 11th grade, she had a transition counselor working with her, planning for her life after high school. In Indiana, the Department of Child and Family Services provides housing for teens up to age 21 (with regulations in place- i.e., no drug use, no one else living with them, etc). Our former student received free tuition, a free apartment, free childcare, and extra living expenses after filing the FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid. As far as we know, she paid nothing for her first year of college.
I do want to insert here that younger children and special needs children SHOULD be considered for adoption because there are a lot of ramifications if they are not adopted when eligible. For one, they are forced to move around from home to home while their case manager tries to find an adoptive home. At a young age, this is developmentally damaging to children. Moving and being insecure can cause mental and emotional damage that could last throughout a lifetime. Being adopted also reduces the financial burden on taxpayers, which is a fact.
If you have questions about financial aid, please go to the FAFSA website or contact a school counselor.
