Former Foster Youth And The Impact Of Providing Basic Needs On Their Experience In College

This dissertation examines the experience of former foster youth as they enter college and attempt to earn a college degree. The Tuition Waiver Program is designed to cover the cost of college beyond any financial aid former foster students receive from the university they are attending. Over 3,000 former foster college students across Texas use the Tuition Waiver Program. However, less than 3% of former foster college students in Texas complete their college degrees (Watt & Faulkner, 2020). A successful college experience for former foster youth provides a firm foundation on which students can continue to grow and develop, gaining lifelong tools to assist them as they acquire their degree and become positive members of society. This case study is a qualitative study consisting of a one-on-one interview that documents the personal experiences of one former foster college student from the start of her college career to the completion of her bachelor's degree. The information shared in this study shows the importance of providing support and resources to former foster youth that align with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Schlossberg's Transition Theory. When this student was in a positive living environment and had the support from those she loved and trusted, she had a higher academic success rate than when she faced significant transitional periods in the absence of love, support, and resources. By assessing the interview presented in this study, a framework of high-impact practices already available at many colleges and universities can be identified and shared with former foster youth to assist with their college experience. This will provide the support required to this fragile population, positively impacting the completion rate of their college degrees.