Bill Overview
Title: Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2022
Description: 2022 This bill requires the Department of Education to provide formula grants to states for activities to improve college access, retention, and completion rates for foster and homeless youth. States that receive such grants must award subgrants to institutions of higher education to carry out these activities in partnership with child welfare agencies and organizations serving homeless youth.
Sponsors: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Target Audience
Population: Foster and Homeless Youth
Estimated Size: 2000000
- The bill is clearly aimed at foster and homeless youth, focusing on increasing their access to higher education.
- The legislation involves providing financial grants to states to facilitate college-related activities for these populations.
- Since these individuals have lower education access and completion rates than the general population, the target population is a specific youth demographic.
- Statistics indicate that there are millions of homeless youth and foster children worldwide.
Reasoning
- The policy is intended to specifically benefit foster and homeless youth, a population that struggles with educational attainment compared to their peers.
- The grant distribution involves coordination between educational institutions and child welfare agencies, indicating a collaboration-focused approach.
- The scope of the policy is significant but still needs to be evaluated against the vast number of potential beneficiaries (about 2 million foster and homeless youth in the U.S.).
- Given the budgetary constraints and the need to prioritize, the impact on each individual may vary based on state initiatives and local implementation strategies.
Simulated Interviews
High School Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 17 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel that the current system doesn't provide enough support for foster youth like myself to think about college.
- The new policy could help me access resources I didn't know existed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Community College Student (Dallas, TX)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've had to really push to get to college and stay here; anything that makes it easier for others would be great.
- Hopefully, more of us can get scholarships and resources just like traditional students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Undergraduate Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every bit of assistance counts, especially when it involves education.
- It's encouraging to think that further aid might be available to finish my degree smoothly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 16 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- College seems like a distant dream for someone in my situation.
- I'd love to see what options this policy can bring closer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
High School Senior (New York, NY)
Age: 18 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Figuring out college applications is overwhelming without support.
- This policy could be the push needed for kids like me to pursue higher education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Vocational School Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I never thought college was possible, but vocational training interested me.
- If this policy means more scholarships, it'll be incredible for future youth.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
University Student (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 20 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the right resources, no one's potential should go to waste.
- I worry about sustainability and fair distribution of resources though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Part-time Worker (Denver, CO)
Age: 21 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- College isn’t for everyone but knowing the option is there can change futures.
- I hope the policy also fosters other kinds of learning and skills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Been fortunate with self-advocacy and support, but not all have the same opportunities.
- This policy is a step in closing the gap for others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Middle School Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 15 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s hard to think about college when my day-to-day is so uncertain.
- Hearing about policies like this makes me hope for new possibilities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $510000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $610000000)
Year 3: $520000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $620000000)
Year 5: $540000000 (Low: $440000000, High: $640000000)
Year 10: $550000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $650000000)
Year 100: $600000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $700000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of partnerships between educational institutions and child welfare agencies will be crucial.
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks will be essential to ensure funds are used effectively.
- Long-term commitment is required to realize significant returns on investment in terms of social benefits.