Spring 2019
Committee:
Legislative Affairs
WHEREAS, the Chafee Grant was established by the state of California to provide up to $5000 for current and former foster youth to pursue a college degree or vocational training;
WHEREAS, the state of California has limited eligibility for the Chafee Grant to those that have not yet reached their 26th birthday by July 1st of the award year;
WHEREAS, according to the National Foster Youth Institute, only 3% of former foster youth attain an Associate or Bachelor’s degree by the age of 26 compared to 43% of their peers[1]; and
WHEREAS, according to research conducted by the University of California at Irvine, former foster youth suffer from disproportionate rates of learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety[2] in addition to financial hardships and entanglements with the criminal justice system that impede their ability to attain a college education; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate that the state legislature waive the age restriction and modify the eligibility requirements of “Have not reached your 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year”[3] in order to qualify for the Chafee Grant, which would grant these benefits to all former foster youth regardless of age;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges identify at least one member of the State Legislature to sponsor a bill enacting these modifications; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges as well as the governing bodies of each community college district to actively support this resolution.
Citation 1: https://www.nfyi.org/issues/education/
Citation 2: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161017084248.htm
Citation 3: https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/
WHEREAS, the state of California has limited eligibility for the Chafee Grant to those that have not yet reached their 26th birthday by July 1st of the award year;
WHEREAS, according to the National Foster Youth Institute, only 3% of former foster youth attain an Associate or Bachelor’s degree by the age of 26 compared to 43% of their peers[1]; and
WHEREAS, according to research conducted by the University of California at Irvine, former foster youth suffer from disproportionate rates of learning disabilities, depression, and anxiety[2] in addition to financial hardships and entanglements with the criminal justice system that impede their ability to attain a college education; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate that the state legislature waive the age restriction and modify the eligibility requirements of “Have not reached your 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year”[3] in order to qualify for the Chafee Grant, which would grant these benefits to all former foster youth regardless of age;
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges identify at least one member of the State Legislature to sponsor a bill enacting these modifications; and
RESOLVED, that the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the Board of Governors of California Community Colleges as well as the governing bodies of each community college district to actively support this resolution.
Citation 1: https://www.nfyi.org/issues/education/
Citation 2: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161017084248.htm
Citation 3: https://www.chafee.csac.ca.gov/