CSAC Issues Policy Direction: Chafee Grant Payments to No Longer Count Against Financial Aid Limits 

On February 12th, the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) released a special alert detailing significant changes to the Chafee Grant Program stemming from the FAFSA Simplification Act, which was signed into law in 2020. Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, Chafee Education and Training Vouchers will no longer be treated as “other financial assistance (OFA)” or count towards the cap on how much financial aid a student can receive. Put differently, eligible Chafee Grant recipients will be able to receive the full $5,000 Chafee Grant award regardless of the amount of their unmet need or cost of attendance.

Historically, foster youth students with little or no remaining unmet need would have to forgo some or all of their Chafee Grant award to prevent their financial aid packages from exceeding their institutions’ cost of attendance. CSAC will issue additional guidance and resources by summer 2024. To view the special alert, click here. Students interested in applying for the Chafee Grant for the 2024-25 academic school year can apply here. 

Save the Date for the 2024 Blueprint for Foster Youth College and Career Success Conference on October 28th and 29th

John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is thrilled to announce that the 2024 Blueprint for Foster Youth College and Career Success Conference will be held on October 28th and 29th in Los Angeles at the Westin LAX.

This professional development opportunity will feature plenary sessions, networking opportunities and a range of workshops to highlight best practices relevant to campus support program staff, K-12 partners, policymakers, child welfare professionals, caregivers, community‐based providers, and other stakeholders who support foster youth to achieve their higher education goals. Please save the date! More information will be coming soon.  

NextUp Report to the Legislature Finds Increased Completion Rates for Transfer-Level English and Math Classes 

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) released its 2022 legislative report on the NextUp foster youth support program. At the time of this report, NextUp was operating at 46 community colleges but has since expanded to all 116 campuses. This report includes data on NextUp students at these 46 community colleges across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years, with approximately 2,000 students served each year.  

Findings from the report highlight an overall increase from 2020-21 to 2021-22 in the percentage of NextUp students who completed credit and transfer-level English and math. NextUp students enrolled in 9 or more units decreased by 4 percent; however, there was a 1 percent increase in the number of students who successfully completed a courseload of 9 or more units. Lastly, financial aid data indicated that across multiple financial aid programs, NextUp students are receiving financial aid more consistently than foster youth not participating in NextUp. To read the full report, click here.

California Selected to Participate in Federal Housing and Health Initiative  

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced this month that California has been selected to participate in the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator, aimed at helping reduce homelessness by addressing health-related social needs.  

The accelerator is launching as more states are leveraging new opportunities and flexibilities available under Medicaid, new federal housing resources, and expanded opportunities under the Older American Act to cover services and supports that help individuals find and obtain housing.  

Eight states and the District of Columbia will receive technical assistance on improving collaboration and coordination between organizations and systems to leverage these resources to combat homelessness. The accelerator will bring interdisciplinary teams together in a 12-month learning collaborative to tackle common issues, such as navigating payment models and rates, data integration and sharing, and more.

Upcoming Webinars, Training, and Events

• Coalition to Protect Foster Youth in the State Budget
• Save the Date - Celebrate JBAY's 20th Anniversary and California State Senator John L. Burton (Ret.)

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