Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI)

Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) is sponsored by New York State Education Department / New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) is a state program that supports current and former foster care students enrolling in or attending college. It provides support and financial assistance to help students achieve academic success.

Foster Youth College Success Initiative | New York State Education Department New York State Education Department Freedom of Information (FOIL) Bilingual Education & World Languages Career & Technical Education Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Office of the Professions Teacher and Leader Development Vocational Rehabilitation Standards and Instruction Career and Technical Education Educational Design and Technology Standards and Instruction Office of State Assessment New York State Alternate Assessment (NYSAA) English as a Second Language Tests Certification & Licensing Pupil Personnel Services Staff Business and Program Accounts Help Pupil Transportation Services Religious and Independent School Support Data Privacy and Security Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services Access, Equity and Community Engagement Services Family and Community Engagement Liberty Partnerships Program My Brother's Keeper Initiative My Brother’s Keeper Community Network My Brother’s Keeper Challenge My Brother’s Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corps II My Brother’s Keeper Family and Community Engagement Program My Brother’s Keeper Fellows Program My Brother’s Keeper Indigenous Education Program My Brother’s Keeper Newsletter: "Changing the Narrative" Postsecondary Access, Support & Success Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Enhancing Supports and Services for Students With Disabilities for Postsecondary Success (SWDPS) Foster Youth College Success Initiative Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) Pathways in Technology (NYS P-TECH) Program Perkins Postsecondary Career & Technical Education Program Regents Physician Loan Forgiveness Program (LF) Scholarships for Academic Excellence (SAE) Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) Smart Scholars Early College High School Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Teacher Development Programs Albert Shanker Grant Program Mentor Teacher Internship Program Professional Standards & Practices Board for Teaching Teacher Diversity Pipeline Pilot Teacher Opportunity Corps I Foster Youth College Success Initiative Thank you for your interest in the Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI).

The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) is a program established specifically for undergraduate students who have experienced foster care or are eligible orphans. FYCSI funding can be used towards supporting the cost of attending college at the undergraduate level, including housing and meals. See below for additional details, and/or contact our office at fosteryouth@nysed.

gov . Any student who is currently a resident of New York State and spent time in foster care at any time after their 13th birthday, or is an orphan, is eligible for funding. Please submit the FYCSI consent form to FCY4College@ocfs.

ny. gov so that your eligibility can be verified and communicated to SED as well as your school. Where Can This Funding Be Used?

FYCSI funds may be used by eligible undergraduate students who are matriculated at a State University of New York (SUNY) college or university, a City College of New York (CUNY) college or university, or an Independent/Private college or university that also hosts a Higher Education Opportunities Program (HEOP). Funds will be directed to the respective campus financial aid office.

Student Eligibility for Participation in the Foster Youth College Success Initiative Program MUST be a NYS resident and enrolled in a SUNY college or university, CUNY college or university, or Independent/Private college or university which also hosts a Higher Education Opportunities Program (HEOP); AND Students MUST meet the federal Higher Education Act definition of a foster youth or orphan; Federal definition of a foster youth: student who is currently in foster care or was in foster care at some point after their 13th birthday.

This includes: Students adopted from foster care after their 13th birthday; Students living with a relative or kin under a kinship foster care agreement; Students who have aged out of foster care; and Students that were in foster care in another state, but meet the opportunity program residency requirements (a NY resident for at least 1 year or received a high school diploma in NY) Eligibility for other groups: Orphans – Only eligible if both parents are deceased and the student was NOT adopted prior to age 13 Guardianship – Not eligible; if the student is living with another family member, kin, or friend under a documented guardianship agreement or informal guardianship agreement without foster care history or documented orphan status after 13th birthday Unaccompanied / Homeless students – Not eligible; A student that is homeless but DOES NOT have foster care experience after the age of 13 is NOT eligible, unless the student’s parents are deceased after their 13th birthday.

(A student whose parents (both) are deceased after their 13th birthday, and then subsequently go into a legal guardianship agreement, is ELIGIBLE.) If you believe you meet these criteria and are eligible for FYCSI consideration, you may contact your school's Financial Aid Office or please email us at fosteryouth@nysed.

gov with your First Name, Last Name, eligibility criterion (Foster Youth or eligible Orphan), email address and phone number so we can contact you with additional information or next steps, as needed. Note: Documentation confirming eligibility as an orphan will be required by your school. Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act For more information on the Senator José Peralta New York State DREAM Act .

New York State Education Department Office of Postsecondary Access, Support, and Success Foster Youth College Success Initiative 89 Washington Avenue, EBA 960 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) High School Equivalency Test Professional Licenses & Certification Find a school report card Find high school graduation rates Find information about grants Get information about learning standards Get information about my teacher certification Obtain vocational services Verify a licensed professional File an appeal to the Commissioner About the New York State Education Department About the University of the State of New York (USNY) Business Portal for School Administrators FOIL (Freedom of Information Law) Incorporation for Education Corporations New York State Education Building NYSED General Information: (518) 474-3852 ACCES-VR: 1-800-222-JOBS (5627) High School Equivalency: (518) 474-5906 New York State Archives: (518) 474-6926 New York State Library: (518) 474-5355 New York State Museum: (518) 474-5877 Office of Higher Education: (518) 486-3633 Office of the Professions: (518) 474-3817 P-12 Education: (718) 722-2797 Adult Education & Vocational Services Office of Higher Education Office of the Professions