Foster youth pathways to college

The current research that exists on former foster youth includes focuses on the factors that have contributed to either their success or failure in their time outside of care. Research has also concluded that nearly 20% of the qualified foster youth will attend college. This thesis focuses on the factors that motivated and aided former foster youth through their successful pathways into higher education. Utilizing the support of standpoint theory and understanding that former foster youth belong to a unique community that has been created by relationships and the experiences that they have experienced; interviews were conducted with six current students at a large southwest university that were once enrolled in foster care. Participants described their time in care and at this institution, and a theme was found that former foster youth who are successfully attending this institution were strongly supported either by family members, friends, or staff at this university. The results of the study were developed to explain the importance of creating a touch point for former foster youth on college or university campus’.