Abstract

Foster youth in colleges and universities often suffer from the lack of basic needs, including food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and mental health support, which represents a critical barrier to educational success among foster youth in higher education. This population faces disproportionate rates of homelessness, food insecurity, and financial instability that fundamentally undermine their academic progress and psychological well-being. Utilizing recent empirical studies and institutional case examples, we will examine the magnitude of this crisis, analyze current institutional responses, and advocate for comprehensive, trauma-informed interventions. The analysis will reveal that while some promising practices exist, most institutions lack the systematic, holistic approaches necessary to address the intersectional nature of foster youth’s needs. We will conclude with evidence-based recommendations for institutional reform, policy advocacy, and the development of wraparound support systems that recognize foster youth not merely as students with deficits, but as resilient individuals whose success requires holistic approaches.