Foster Youth Resources

There are a number of services available to foster youth who are matriculated students at Cal State East Bay and within the California State University System. A "current foster youth" is defined as someone who is currently in foster care, and a "former foster youth" refers to a person who is an emancipated foster youth and who is up to 24 years of age.

Services include a tuition fee waiver, priority registration, priority placement in residence halls, the Chafee Grant, and participation in the Renaissance Scholars Program. Each service has eligibility requirements; see below for more information.

Information Sessions

There are no information sessions scheduled at this time. If you would like more information or to set up a meeting, please email us at renaissance@csueastbay.edu

Tuition Fee Waiver

The California State University (CSU) Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is available for current and former foster care youth who are enrolled at a California State University campus in an undergraduate program. The foster youth tuition waiver originated with the passage of Senate Bill 967 (as amended by Education Code § 60025.3) in 2018 and it is intended to address the gap in postsecondary education attainment between foster care and other young adults. The bill was further amended in 2019.

The purpose of CSU Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is to provide increased access for current and former foster youth to higher education by providing a tuition waiver.

Priority Registration

Current and former foster youth are eligible for priority registration. Students with priority registration are able to register immediately upon the opening of the registration period for the semester. Note: Students with priority registration should plan carefully, as priority registration allows them to register earlier than most students. However, it neither guarantees enrollment, nor moves students to a higher position on waitlists.

Read Assembly Bill No. 801 and Senate Bill No. 906 for more information on priority registration for foster youth in the California State University System.

The Priority Registration and Housing Request Form can be found here: Priority Request

Priority Placement in Residence Halls

In order to ensure that current and former foster youth who are students at campuses of the California State University have stable housingCurrent and former foster youth are eligible for:

Priority placement in the residence halls
Priority placement in the housing facilities that are open for uninterrupted year-round occupation at no extra cost during academic or campus breaks.
Read Assembly Bill No. 1393 and Assembly Bill No. 1228 for more information

The Priority Registration and Housing Request Form can be found here: Priority Request

Renaissance Scholars Program

The Renaissance Scholars Program provides a variety of services to students who are current and former foster youth. Services include advising, leadership development opportunities, events and activities, scholarships, a laptop lending program, and more. Visit the Renaissance Scholars Program website for more information.

Chafee Grant for Foster Youth

Current and former foster youth may be eligible for the Chafee Grant, which provides up to $5,000 per year for college. See the Chafee website for eligibility and application information

Foster Youth Resources