Higher Education Success for Youth in Foster Care: HB 1276 Fact Sheet

Pennsylvania is currently considering legislation that will improve the chances of higher education success for students who are or were in the foster care system. The Fostering Independence Through Education Act (HB 1276) will ensure the success of these students by creating a tuition and fee waiver and connecting them with important supports.

This fact sheet explains the educational barriers faced by college students with foster care experience and why HB 1276 is important. Topics include:

• Tuition waivers and scholarships 
• Liaisons or single points of contact (SPOCs)
• Student support programs
• Barriers to higher education success
• Key provisions of HB 1745
• Eligible students
• Eligible schools