[Indy]

"On September 27, President Bush signed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (HR 2669), which includes the Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act amendment—legislation that makes it possible for teens in foster care to be adopted without losing access to college financial aid. Under the new law, youth who are adopted after their 13th birthday will not have to include their parents' income when determining their eligibility for financial aid.

As Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) explained when he first introduced the legislation in 2005, “[i]f a teenager is adopted, he or she can lose out on…college financial aid [due to] his or her adopted parents’ financial situation, but if the teen stays in the system and ‘ages-out’…he or she is probably eligible for all available loans and grants…. The benefits of family and education should go hand in hand, not stand in opposition to each other.”

NACAC has met foster youth who had to make the terrible choice between having a permanent family and pursuing a college education. As a teenager, Sheila lived in foster care with her aunt. She knew that if she remained in foster care, she would receive enough financial assistance to enable her to go to college. “If my aunt adopted me,” Sheila explained, “I would lose my benefits. I mean adoption is great and everything, but you sacrifice a lot.”

We are delighted that Congress has eliminated one barrier that would have forced some youth to choose between education and a permanent family. Next Congress should ensure that all former foster youth who are adopted as teens have full access to needed educational support."

Quoted from NACAC

[zebramom]

Thanks Indy. I've been looking for this information.

[Michele81]

Do you know if it's after finalization or placement? Our daughter was placed with us at 12 1/2 & finalization could be before or after her 13th birthday & I think I would hold off an extra month if it would make a difference (it's too early to tell if she's college material but better to err on the side of caution!)

[SAHmom]

Indy, thanks for posting this!

[ohiomom1000]

Indy,

Thanks for posting this. We adopted T when he was 13. He is a freshman in college this year and was unable to get any financial aid. I sent him to financial aid office today with the info from the link you put on. They said he would qualify but that it would not be eff until next school year. Do you know where I can get more info on this?

Thanks

[Faith65]

This is super news! Thanks for posting it, Indy!