Foster Care Facts
In the United States, youth typically “age out” of foster care at this age in many states, though some programs extend support longer.
What is 18?
This financial aid form, required by most colleges in the U.S., determines eligibility for federal grants and loans.
What is the FAFSA?
This basic need—often unavailable during school breaks—is a major challenge for college students who aged out of foster care.
What is housing?
Research consistently shows that only about this percentage of youth who age out of foster care eventually earn a bachelor’s degree.
What is about 10%.
In comparison, 49% of all young adults between ages 25 and 29 complete a degree, according to federal data analyzed by Okpych and his coauthors.
This federal law passed in 1999 creating funding to help young people transitioning out of foster care with education, housing, and employment support.
What is the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood?
Young people that have been in foster care between 13 and 18 years old have what kind of FAFSA filing status?
What is an independent student status?
Young people leaving foster care without permanent placements are often called this.
What is “aging out” or being an independent youth?
This federal law enacted in 2008 allowed states to extend foster care services beyond age 18 to support education and employment outcomes.
What is the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008?
(Have the YP share what this program has provided them with and what their state does)
Fewer than this percentage of former foster youth earn a four-year college degree by their mid-20s, nationwide
Less that 10%
The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood is a U.S. federal initiative designed to help youth in foster care achieve self-sufficiency as they age out of the system. How many states have opted into offering these additional supports.
What is 36 states as of July 2025. (District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and nine Tribes have approved Title-IV E extended foster care as well)
Under the Chafee program, this federally funded initiative provides college aid—often up to about $5,000 per year—for former foster youth pursuing higher education.
What is Education Training Voucher Program.
Foster youth are roughly this many times more likely than peers to experience homelessness after leaving care.
What is about four times more likely?