Yuba County recognized for helping foster children file for federal aid to afford college

Rungee said nine participating Yuba County seniors successfully filled out their applications, which allowed Yuba County to win the very small county category in the challenge. One student who transferred to Sutter County during the application period also successfully filled out the FAFSA form, which brought the county’s total to 10.

Amy Molina-jones, coordinator of prevention services at Yuba County Office of Education, said foster youths already experience a range of educational difficulties. She said foster youths are at a much greater risk of dropping out of school at 8 percent, in comparison to their peers at 3 percent. In addition, she noted the graduation rate from high school of 58 percent in comparison to their peers at 84 percent, is the highest disparity for any population.

Because of the various steps and financial data involved with filling out the FAFSA application, access to financial aid creates an additional barrier for foster youths.

“In general, the FAFSA can be challenging,” Molina-jones said. “Because of all the information it requires, such as parent’s financial status, estimated cost for living expenses, social security number, a list of potential schools of interest, establishing an email address and identification codes and maintaining passwords. Compound that with the lack of adult support and the FAFSA is a nightmare.”

Rungee said the increased collaboration with child and adult services and the office of education has enhanced the ability to help students in a number of different methods. Adding in praise specifically to Yuba County superior court judge Debra Givens, who oversees juvenile law/guardianships, Rungee said there is a readiness at most levels to help foster kids in anyway possible.

“Our state and local government have understood that foster care kids need to have additional opportunities to be successful,” Rungee said. “Some of these kids who might suffer trauma in their childhood and will struggle to make good decisions. For them, it may be hard to find another type of path to their for the future.”

Each foster student from the winning counties who submitted a FAFSA as part of this contest is also entered to win a $500 scholarship, according to a press release announcing winning counties.

The awards announced are the first of two rounds. A second set of winner’s will be announced after FAFSA’S final deadline in May.

Sonoma County won the small county category with 85 percent of its foster youth completing the application, while Fresno won the medium-sized at 83 percent and San Diego County won the large category with 65 percent.