When starting off on their own, all young people need critical resources so that if they lose a job, they can maintain housing stability and meet other key necessities and basic needs. If in college or a training program, they need additional money not just for tuition but also for all the fees and costs tacked onto their college expenses, sometimes including charges for housing or room and board. For youth exiting the foster care system, these financial burdens are exacerbated, and sufficient money for financial stability is especially difficult when youth may not have family or other adult resources to rely upon.

Annually, approximately 20,000 youth across the country exit foster care without a permanent home, adult support or financial resources to make a successful transition to adulthood.