From budgeting time to budgeting money, there's no shortage of challenges for college students. But those issues are magnified for foster youth who don't have the same safety net to fall back on.
Western Michigan University has built a network of campus coaches that provide round-the-clock support for foster youth. Now thanks to a 700 thousand dollar grant from the Kresge Foundation, they plan to launch a statewide initiative to launch similar efforts on all Michigan college campuses.
WMU Professor of Social Work Yvonne Unrau said the goal is to build on what is already working on campuses in Michigan.
"Some schools have already begun that effort and so we want to help share the lessons learned here."
Unrau said traditionally, the odds have been stacked against foster youth and their college aspirations.
National statistics show that while 70 percent of foster youth express a desire to attend college, fewer than three percent eventually earn a degree.
Western Michigan University has built a network of campus coaches that provide round-the-clock support for foster youth. Now thanks to a 700 thousand dollar grant from the Kresge Foundation, they plan to launch a statewide initiative to launch similar efforts on all Michigan college campuses.
WMU Professor of Social Work Yvonne Unrau said the goal is to build on what is already working on campuses in Michigan.
"Some schools have already begun that effort and so we want to help share the lessons learned here."
Unrau said traditionally, the odds have been stacked against foster youth and their college aspirations.
National statistics show that while 70 percent of foster youth express a desire to attend college, fewer than three percent eventually earn a degree.
