Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - Nevada

Support for Completing High School

Citation: Child & Fam. Serv. Pol. Man. § 0801.5.10

Services that can be provided with Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) funds include the following:

• Assistance to obtain a high school diploma, including financial assistance (class ring, cap and gown, senior pictures, etc.)
• Career exploration and vocational training
• Job placement and retention

Planning for Postsecondary Education

Citation: Child & Fam. Serv. Pol. Man. § 0801.5.10

Services that can be provided with CFCIP funds include assisting youth with the following:

• Prepare for and enter postsecondary training and education institutions
• Access eligible financial assistance (college application fees, etc.)
• Obtain available vouchers for education and training, including postsecondary training and education

Eligibility Requirements

Citation: Nev. Syst. of Higher Educ. Bd. of Regents Handbook, T4-CH17, § 13; Child & Fam. Serv. Pol. Man. § 0801.5.10

From the Board of Regents Handbook: A student who was in the custody of an agency that provides child welfare services in Nevada after the student reached age 14 years may be permitted to register for credit without a registration fee or, except as otherwise provided, laboratory fee(s) if the student meets the following criteria:

• Has graduated from high school or obtained a general equivalency diploma or equivalent document
• Completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Is under age 26

A student placed out of State by a Nevada child welfare agency for the purpose of treatment or who was placed out of State through an Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children and did not achieve permanency with a family prior to reaching age 18 is eligible for the waiver.

This policy is applicable during fall and spring terms only.

In policy: CFCIP is intended to serve youth who are likely to remain in foster care until age 18; youth who, after reaching age 16, have left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption; and young adults ages 18 to 21 who have 'aged out' of the foster care system.

Financial Supports for Postsecondary Programs

Citation: Rev. Stat. § 396.540; Bd. of Regents Handbook, T4-CH17, § 13; Child & Fam. Serv. Pol. Man. § 0801.5.10

All students whose families have been bona fide residents of the State of Nevada for at least 12 months before the matriculation of the student at a university, State college, or community college within the State system shall not be charged tuition.

From the Board of Regents Handbook: State-supported academic credit-bearing courses that lead to a degree or certificate, including distance education courses, independent learning, and continuing education courses are eligible for the fee waiver. Self-supporting courses, including independent study and correspondence courses, are not eligible for waiver under this policy.

Laboratory fees associated with all courses numbered below the 300 level are eligible for waiver under this policy. Exceptions to the waiver of laboratory fees include the following:

• Per semester fees, such as the health service fee
• Special course fees for purposes other than class supplies, including individual instruction, third-party charges, and special transportation requirements
• Fees for actual class cost in excess of $100
• Technology fees

A person to whom the fee waiver is awarded shall be deemed a bona fide resident of Nevada for tuition purposes. To remain eligible for the fee waiver, the student must meet institutional title IV financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.

Registration fees associated with graduate level courses and with the William S. Boyd School of Law; the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine; the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine; and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine are not eligible for waiver under this policy.

In policy: The purpose of the federally funded Education and Training Vouchers is to provide financial assistance for postsecondary training and education to youth who, after reaching age 16, have left foster care for an approved title IV-E kinship guardianship or adoption.