According to the Department of Human Services (DHS), the State of Oregon currently supports nearly 8,700 foster children. Few of them pursue higher education. As a result too many of them end up in our social safety net as adults.

In response, Rep. Wingard sponsored bipartisan legislation to encourage foster youth to seek higher education.

House Bill 3471 increases access to higher education for current and former foster children by providing a tuition waiver for the family portion of student financial aid contribution, minimizing the amount of tuition absorbed by the student.

Former foster children who access this program are required to perform community service in exchange for this assistance.

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