Cost of Attendance Adjustments in California Higher Education: Campus Perspectives on Access, Barriers, and Impacts for Students with Experience in Foster Care
California has made significant investments to ensure current and former foster youth can succeed in higher education. The creation of a statewide network of public campus support programs, funded at $68 million annually, is among its most significant achievements. This analysis examines how the Cost of Attendance (COA) adjustment process is functioning across California’s public […]
Transparency of Cost of Attendance Adjustment Processes Across California Public Colleges and Universities
This review examined the transparency of Cost of Attendance (COA) adjustment processes on the publicly available websites of California’s public colleges and universities. Federal financial aid rules allow institutions to adjust a student’s COA when documented educational expenses exceed standard budget estimates. These adjustments can enable students to access financial aid sufficient to meet their […]
From Evidence to Impact
This report, commissioned by the Stuart Foundation, provides a comprehensive overview of educational outcomes for students in foster care, highlighting persistent disparities despite decades of reform. It identifies “bright spot” districts achieving better results and points to personalized, relationship-based case management, coaching, and mentoring as effective strategies for improving outcomes. The report calls for a […]
Investing in Impact: How State Investment Reduced Youth Homelessness in California
This report highlights how targeted state investments reduced youth homelessness in California by 24% between 2019 and 2024. The report looks at how youth homelessness has changed over time in California, and spotlights programs across the state working to address youth homelessness with funding from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP). HHAP has a […]
Hope Scholars: A Toolkit for Serving College Students Experiencing Homelessness
This toolkit, developed by John Burton Advocates for Youth in partnership with Rio Hondo College, features the college’s Hope Scholars program—an innovative model that provides holistic, on-campus support for students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. Hope Scholars integrates financial assistance, housing resources, and case management services in collaboration with the college’s Basic Needs Center. The […]
The Nation’s First Tax Credit for Foster Youth: A Look at California’s First Three Years
This report examines the first three years of the California Foster Youth Tax Credit (FYTC). As of August 31, 2025, this refundable tax credit, available to current and former foster youth ages 18-25, has put $17.20 million directly into the hands of more than 16,000 young people—plus an estimated $18.66 million in additional credits unlocked […]
Project 3,500: How Two State Programs Increased Housing Supports for Former Foster Youth in California
In 2021, JBAY embarked on Project 3,500 with the goal of expanding state resources for housing to reach at least 3,500 youth. California has made new investments in housing for youth leaving the foster care system, acknowledging the increased risk of homelessness and disproportionate impact of the state’s housing crisis on this population. As a […]
High School Counselor FAFSA/CADAA Toolkits
These toolkits are designed to support high school counselors working with students with experience in foster care or homelessness in completing their FAFSA/CADAA applications. The toolkits provides a step-by-step checklist, resources, and key definitions to support counselors in connecting students to critical financial aid. [Updated October 2025.] Foster Youth Toolkit Students Experiencing Homelessness Toolkit SHARE […]
Paying for College as a Student with Foster Care History: Findings and Recommendations from Discussions with Students in California
Foster youth continue to lag far behind their peers when it comes to college completion, and college affordability has long been cited as the most common barrier that foster youth face. In recognition of the multitude of disadvantages that these students often confront, the 2023-24 state budget included additional funding for the Middle Class Scholarship […]