Foster Youth College Success Initiative
Our Purpose
The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) is a state-funded program that
connects youth in foster care, eligible orphans, or wards of the court, with academic
support services and financial assistance to help enroll in, pay for, and successfully
complete college.
While participation in one of the other Opportunity Programs (OP) is not a requirement,
you may qualify for another OP and can be a part of both. New students qualifying
for FYCSI are offered the opportunity to take part in our Empire Promise Program,
which provides academic coaching, support, programming, and intensive advisement.
Program Benefits
Financial Assistance
Laptop Loaner
Basic Needs
Eligibility:
- You are a New York State resident
- You are an orphan or ward of the court
- You have spent time in foster care after your 13th birthday
- You were adopted from foster care after your 13th birthday
- You are living with a relative or kin under a kinship guardianship foster care agreement
- You meet the federal Higher Education Act's definition of a foster youth or orphan, which requires that you were an orphan or a ward of the court before turning 21, with parental loss occurring before your 21st birthday.
Please note: The FYCSI also provides benefits to those with foster care experience who are no in one of our Opportunity Programs.
Key Program Component
Students can receive funding to cover educational and personal expenses.
