The Foster Youth College Success Initiative (FYCSI) is a state program administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that supports current and former foster care students enrolling in or attending college. It provides support and financial assistance to help students achieve academic success.  William "Woodg" Horning serves as the advisor and liaison to NYSED and SUNY for our FYCSI scholars at Cornell.

To Be Eligible

To be eligible, a student must be enrolled in one of Cornell's undergraduate colleges or schools; be a resident of New York State; and must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Have been in foster care on or after their 13th birthday,
  • Living with a relative in a KinGap agreement or adopted on or after age 13,
  • In foster care on or after their 13th birthday in another state, other than New York,
  • Be an orphan, both parents deceased before the student is 18 years old and student was not adopted prior to age 13, or
  • Be an undocumented immigrant youth who was in foster care on or after their 13th birthday.

For more information please visit the Foster Youth College Success Initiative at the New York State Education Department (nysed.gov).

What You Need to Do

If you believe you qualify for this program, please contact the Cornell Liaison in OADI, William "Woodg" Horning.

Helpful resources:
FYSCI FAQs