Selecting a Housing Plan on FAFSA

Q: I am completing the FAFSA and on the page where I indicate which schools I want my information sent to, it asks me to indicate if I will be living on-campus, off-campus or with parents. I am currently in foster care and have lived with my aunt since I entered the system, and I plan to continue living with her while I go to community college. Which option do I select?

A: You would select “off-campus.” Students should not select “With Parent” as their housing plan if they plan to live with a foster parent, relative caregiver, or legal guardian. Instead, select “Off-Campus.” This is crucial for getting all the money that is available to you to pay for your living expenses. The option you select has an impact on how much money you receive as the “cost of attendance” is considered more when living off-campus than when living with a parent. For more tips on how to complete the FAFSA, check out the Financial Aid Guide for California Foster Youth.

Re-entry to foster care after involvement with adult criminal justice system

Q:  If a youth exits foster care and becomes involved with the adult criminal justice system, does that disqualify him from re-entering extended foster care?

A:  No; the existence of a criminal conviction does not bar the court from resuming dependency jurisdiction. If placement in a licensed or approved foster or relative home with dependent minors in the residence is planned for a youth who is re-entering, the county may elect to do a background check of the youth.  The background check is solely for purpose of determining appropriate placement.  Although the Health and Safety Code requires that adults residing in a licensed foster family home are subject to criminal background clearances, these sections do not apply to non-minor dependents residing in licensed foster family homes, because they are considered clients. This also applies to non-minor dependents in relative and non-related extended family member homes. For more information, refer to ACL 12-12.

Specialized Care Increment (SCI) in extended foster care

Q: My question is about the Specialized Care Increment. If a youth receives a SCI in their placement as a minor, are they able to continue to receive it as a non-minor dependent participating in extended foster care?

A:  Yes. Non-minor dependents who were eligible for a Specialized Care Increment remain eligible for it as participants in extended foster care if they are placed in a foster family home or with a relative caregiver placement. SCI is not available in THP-Plus FC, placements through a Foster Family Agency (although, NMDs placed through an FFA may be eligible for the Intensive Treatment Foster Care rate), Group Home placements, or in Supervised Independent Living Placement.