For students in New York who have experienced foster care, pursuing higher education can be financially challenging. Fortunately, New York State offers the Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) to provide funding and support. This program aims to make college more accessible for foster youth and orphans in the state. If you’re wondering about Foster Care Programs In New York that can help with college costs, FYCSI is a key initiative to explore.
Eligibility Criteria for the Foster Youth College Success Initiative in NY
To be eligible for FYCSI funding, students must meet specific criteria related to residency, foster care history, and enrollment. Understanding these requirements is the first step in accessing this valuable resource.
Residency and Foster Care Background
A primary requirement is New York State residency. Students must be residents of NYS at the time of application. Furthermore, the program is specifically designed for individuals who have spent time in foster care after their 13th birthday. This includes a broad range of experiences within the foster care system.
The definition of foster youth for FYCSI includes:
- Students who were in foster care at any point after turning 13 years old, regardless of the duration.
- Students adopted from foster care after their 13th birthday.
- Students who lived with relatives or kin under a formal kinship foster care agreement.
- Students who have aged out of the foster care system.
- Students who were in foster care in another state but meet New York residency requirements for opportunity programs (at least one year of NY residency or a NY high school diploma).
Eligible Educational Institutions
FYCSI funding is applicable for undergraduate students enrolled in various higher education institutions across New York State. These include:
- State University of New York (SUNY) colleges and universities.
- City University of New York (CUNY) colleges and universities.
- Independent or Private colleges and universities in NY that host a Higher Education Opportunities Program (HEOP).
The funding is directed to the financial aid office of the student’s respective campus to be properly allocated.
Specific Eligibility for Orphans
In addition to foster youth, the FYCSI program extends its support to orphans under specific conditions. Students are eligible under the orphan category if both parents are deceased, and they were not adopted before the age of 13. This ensures that students who experienced loss and may have lacked family support during their later teenage years can also benefit from the program.
Groups Not Eligible for FYCSI
It’s important to note that some groups are not eligible for FYCSI funding, including:
- Students under guardianship arrangements, whether documented or informal, without a history of foster care after the age of 13 or documented orphan status after age 13.
- Unaccompanied or homeless students who do not have a history of foster care after the age of 13, unless both parents passed away after the student turned 13. (In cases where both parents died after the student’s 13th birthday, and the student subsequently entered a legal guardianship, they ARE eligible).
Verifying Eligibility and Next Steps
If you believe you meet the eligibility criteria for FYCSI, the next step is to verify your status and explore the application process.
To start, you can submit the FYCSI consent form to [email protected]. This allows the relevant authorities to verify your eligibility and communicate it to both the State Education Department (SED) and your chosen school.
Alternatively, you can contact the Financial Aid Office at your college or university directly. You can also reach out to [email protected] with your First Name, Last Name, eligibility criterion (Foster Youth or eligible Orphan), email address, and phone number for further guidance. Be aware that schools will require documentation to confirm orphan status if applying under that criterion.
By understanding the eligibility requirements and taking the necessary steps to verify your status, you can access the Foster Youth College Success Initiative and gain crucial financial support for your higher education journey in New York.
