NY A02123

Establishes a four-year pilot program providing scholarship awards to foster youth ages 16-23 who have received foster care services in New York state for at least nine months after age 16 or were adopted after age 16.

Covers tuition, mandatory fees, and non-tuition costs (room and board, transportation, books, supplies, personal expenses) for eligible students enrolled in approved in-state undergraduate or vocational training programs.

Awards full tuition and fees at SUNY/CUNY institutions, or up to the cost of SUNY four-year college tuition and average fees for other in-state programs, minus other scholarships and grants received.

Requires recipients to complete federal financial aid applications, apply for Tuition Assistance Program awards, and receive an Education and Training Voucher; limits undergraduate awards to eight semesters and vocational training awards to four semesters.

Requires program evaluation at two and four years of operation measuring retention and degree completion rates across different institution types and student enrollment statuses.