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Junior League urges reinstating Foster to College scholarship in state budget
Summary
Members of the Junior League of Columbus and a child welfare advocate urged the House Finance Committee to include the Foster to College Scholarship Act (HB25) in the state budget, saying omission would deny college access to youth who age out of foster care.
Advocates told the Ohio House Finance Committee on April 8 that a Foster to College Scholarship program omitted from the state budget would cut off an important pathway to postsecondary education for youth who have spent time in foster care.
Julia Marino, a postdoctoral scholar at The Ohio State University and a member of the Junior League of Columbus, asked the committee to “reconsider and include” the Foster to College Scholarship Act in the House budget bill. Marino said the Junior League and bipartisan supporters had hoped the bill—presented in testimony by foster youth and advocates—would be included. “When we tell her that this funding was omitted, she'll be really disappointed,” Marino said, referring to a fourth-grade foster child named Priya who previously testified to the chamber about her college aspirations.
Marino described widespread, bipartisan support and told members the bill would provide “last dollar” tuition support after federal grants. She said many former foster youth want to attend college but lack the financial and wraparound supports to persist. “Money is one of the main things holding them back,” she said, adding that the bill also contemplates advising resources to help students apply for aid.
Representative Ray asked whether Marino thought the scholarship would help break cycles of poverty; Marino answered that surveys of Ohio foster youth show most want to attend college and that financial support combined with mentoring and guidance would “make a big difference.” Representative Charles asked what foster youth would want committee members to know; Marino recounted the hope and trust expressed by children who had testified and urged continued advocacy.
A committee member, Representative Schmidt, urged advocates not to lose hope if the budget omitted the bill, noting the measure could be pursued outside the budget process. The testimony cited prior votes and bipartisan advocacy but did not produce a formal committee action on the scholarship bill during this hearing.
