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Junior League witness urges restoration of Foster-to-College scholarship in budget
Summary
Julia Marino of the Junior League of Columbus testified before the House Finance Committee urging lawmakers to include the Foster to College Scholarship Act in the state budget and described how omission will disappoint children who testified in support.
Julia Marino, a postdoctoral scholar and member of the Junior League of Columbus, asked the Ohio House Finance Committee on April 8 to reconsider and include the Foster to College Scholarship Act in the House budget bill, saying the omission would disappoint students who had testified in support.
Marino recounted the testimony of a 10-year-old she said the committee had heard previously, noting the child had said the scholarship would allow her to attend college and become a nurse. “When we tell her that this funding was omitted, she'll be really disappointed,” Marino said.
Representing the Junior League’s advocacy team, Marino told the committee the organization works to help youth transition out of foster care and wants young people to have the same college opportunities others receive. She cited examples of former foster youth who struggled to remain in college after emancipation and said supporting tuition after federal grants would help more students finish degrees. “If money is the obstacle, it shouldn't be because these kids have been through so much already,” she said.
Marino highlighted three points: the substance of the Foster to College bill, the urgency of passing it, and questions from League members about next steps if the funding remained out of the budget. She said the bill has bipartisan support in prior votes and that many neighboring states have similar programs.
Committee members asked follow-up questions. Representative Ray asked whether Marino believed the scholarship would help break the cycle of poverty; Marino answered that surveys of foster youth show many want to attend college but face financial and wraparound support gaps. Representative Charles asked what foster youth who testified would want lawmakers to hear; Marino said students would ask why the legislature did not follow through after positive interactions, and urged persistence on the issue.
Ending: Marino urged continued advocacy through the Junior League and other partners if the bill did not advance in the budget process; committee members noted that bills outside the budget can still be pursued through other legislative channels.
