The Relationship Between Financial Aid and Postsecondary Completion Among Youth Formerly in Foster Care

Students with a foster care background experience significant disparity in enrollment and postsecondary completion when compared to their peers without foster care experience. A number of barriers exist that may impact college persistence and completion. Finances and inadequate financial aid are often identified as a primary concern for students with a foster care background who are attending college. Using a national sample, this study examined the relationship between receipt of financial aid and the likelihood of completing a postsecondary credential among students with a foster care background. Findings indicate that financial aid has a positive relationship with earning a postsecondary credential, however, other sources of financial support and services were not always indicative of positive outcomes. Study findings reinforce the importance of social support, postsecondary education support services, academic support services, and employment as postsecondary education promoters. Several policy and practice implications are discussed that are relevant in postsecondary education settings, and child welfare settings.