When Brianna Carsley left the foster system and entered Michigan State University in 2023, she carried a scholarship and a voucher designed for former foster youth. Despite her academic promise, a health crisis forced her to withdraw, highlighting a broader pattern of struggle for young adults aging out of care.
State data reveal alarming outcomes
A four‑year survey of Michigan foster youth, part of a national assessment, found that only about 1% earned a post‑secondary degree – either a bachelor’s or associate’s – by their 21st birthday. Enrollment in any school drops dramatically, from 93% at age 17 to just 26% at age 21.
These numbers come nearly two decades after a 2008 legal settlement forced the state to overhaul its child‑welfare practices. Michigan still operates under a consent decree with federal monitors, and a July compliance report noted that the state “did not meet the required performance standards in 19 of 24 areas.”
Legislative response
Republican Representative Kathy Schmaltz of Jackson, a longtime advocate for aging‑out youth, said, “We let them age out and they have nothing. They don’t have a support system. They don’t have housing. They don’t have relationships. And we expect them to be successful.”
Schmaltz co‑sponsored legislation with Democratic Senator Jeff Irwin that was signed into law earlier this year. The new law requires that a significant portion of federal foster‑care funds be preserved for the youth’s future needs, rather than being used solely as reimbursement for care costs. Under the statute, the saved money can be applied to education, job training, or other post‑secondary support.
Local programs try to fill the gap
Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment directly, but a written statement from spokesperson Erin Stover affirmed the department’s commitment to “ensuring young people who have experienced foster care have access to the resources and opportunities they need to pursue their educational goals.”
Advocates point to existing campus programs as vital lifelines. Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan both run initiatives aimed at former foster youth, and Michigan State University’s Fostering Academics, Mentoring Excellence (FAME) program offers a food pantry, financial assistance, and a point of contact for students.
“When you are 18 and leaving foster care you don’t have anyone who is doing that or anyone who is looking after you,” said Maddy Day, co‑founder of Fostering Academic Achievement Nationwide. Day described the system as a “leaky pipe,” where many young people fall out before even reaching college.
National context and next steps
Nationally, only about 10% of former foster youth obtain a two‑ or four‑year degree by their mid‑ to late‑20s – a rate five times lower than the general population. Some states, such as Texas, have mandated campus liaisons for former foster youth, though funding gaps have limited effectiveness.
Michigan is one of roughly 26 states that offer tuition and fee waivers for former foster youth. Seven states, including Minnesota and Iowa, go further by covering additional college costs.
Director Karie Rozen of the nonprofit Fostering Success Michigan urged the state to take a more active role, saying, “My dream is that every campus across the state would have a good environment for young people who have experienced foster care – like points of contact that could support them on that campus.”
For Carsley, the choice between more money to stay enrolled and a stronger sense of community was clear. “I was really desperate,” she recalled, “but the program helped me make a medical withdrawal rather than just leaving.” Her story underscores the urgent need for consistent, statewide support that goes beyond tuition waivers to include health navigation, mentorship, and a reliable safety net for those aging out of foster care.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
