A new law will make it possible for teens in foster care to be adopted without losing access to college financial aid. The Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act became law as an amendment to the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (Public Law 110-84). This law includes a revised definition of an “independent student.” Currently, youth who were still in foster care as of their 18th birthday are considered independent students, meaning that they do not need to count parental income for determining their eligibility for college financial aid. The revised definition of “independent student” will extend to youth who were in foster care on or after their 13th birthday, even if they have subsequently been adopted. This expanded definition of “independent student” will go into effect in July 2009, to apply for the 2009-2010 school year. The provision will apply to youth even for adoptions that were finalized before the law was passed in 2007. Youth who meet the new definition will need to indicate their status as an independent student when they fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for college financial aid.
For more information, go to www.voice-for-adoption.org. To download Voice For Adoption's fact sheet on the college financial aid provisions for former foster youth, go to: http://www.voice-for-adoption.org/downloads/FAFSA%20factsheet.pdf.
