NY A11474

Establishes a pilot program providing scholarship awards to current and former foster care recipients in New York State for approved in-state undergraduate and vocational training programs.

Eligible applicants must be ages 16-23, New York legal residents, have received foster care services for at least nine months after age 16 (or adopted after age 16), have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have been selected for a federal education and training voucher.

Scholarship amounts cover tuition, mandatory fees, and non-tuition costs of attendance at SUNY/CUNY institutions (up to state resident rates), or amounts equal to average SUNY costs for other approved programs, with awards not exceeding total cost of attendance minus other aid received.

Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic standing and reapply annually; undergraduate students may receive awards for up to eight semesters (four years) and vocational training students for up to four semesters (two years).

Requires program evaluation reports after two and four years of operation assessing retention and degree completion rates; pilot program expires four years after enactment.