§ 6456. Foster youth college success initiative. 1. Subject to an
appropriation, the commissioner shall allocate the funds available for
the foster youth college success initiative for the purpose of providing
support services to assist youth in foster care to apply for, enroll in,
and succeed in college. Such grants shall be awarded to institutions of
the state university of New York and institutions of the city university
of New York, and the commissioner shall enter into contracts with
degree-granting institutions in New York that are currently funded by
the Arthur O. Eve higher education opportunity program pursuant to
section sixty-four hundred fifty-one of this article for the purpose of
providing additional services and expenses to expand opportunities for
foster youth.

2. For the purposes of this section, "foster youth" shall mean
students who (i) are an orphan or (ii) are, or have been, either a child
or youth in foster care as such term is defined in section thirty-two
hundred forty-four of this chapter or ward of the court at any time
after their thirteenth birthday.

3. a. Funds appropriated in the two thousand fifteen--two thousand
sixteen academic year for the purposes of this initiative shall be
allocated by sector as follows: fifty-two percent for institutions in
the state university of New York; thirty percent for institutions in the
city university of New York; and eighteen percent for other
degree-granting institutions in New York with current Arthur O. Eve
higher education opportunity programs.

b. Funds appropriated in the two thousand sixteen--two thousand
seventeen academic year and thereafter for the purposes of this
initiative shall be allocated by sector based on the percentage of
foster youth identified by each institution that will be served by this
initiative in the following academic year, in applications received by
the commissioner pursuant to subdivision six of this section, provided
however that the award per student for foster youth first served in the
two thousand fifteen--two thousand sixteen academic year shall be no
less than the amount per student awarded for those students in the two
thousand fifteen--two thousand sixteen academic year.

4. Funds for all programs under this section shall be awarded in equal
amounts per foster youth to each institution that applies for funding
allocated to its sector distribution as provided in subdivision three of
this section and has an application that is approved by the
commissioner; provided, however, funds shall be awarded to a foster
youth based on his or her need as determined by the institution of
higher education where such foster youth is in attendance.

5. Moneys made available to institutions under this section shall be
spent for the following purposes:

a. to provide additional services and expenses to expand opportunities
through existing postsecondary opportunity programs at the state
university of New York, the city university of New York, and other
degree-granting higher education institutions for foster youth;

b. to provide any necessary supplemental financial aid for foster
youth, which may include the cost of tuition and fees, books,
transportation, housing and other expenses as determined by the
commissioner to be necessary for such foster youth to attend college;

c. summer college preparation programs to help foster youth transition
to college, prepare them to navigate on-campus systems, and provide
preparation in reading, writing, and mathematics for foster youth who
need it;

d. advisement, tutoring, and academic assistance for foster youth;

e. to provide supplemental housing and meals, including but not
limited to during intersession and summer breaks, for foster youth; or

f. medical expenses including, but not limited to, primary care,
behavioral health, vision and dental care which is not otherwise covered
by an eligible student's health plan.

6. Eligible institutions shall file an application for approval by the
commissioner each year demonstrating a need for such funding, including
how the funding would be used and how many foster youth would be
assisted with such funding. Successful applicants will be funded as
provided in subdivision four of this section.

7. No funds pursuant to this section shall be made available to
support the regular academic programs of any institution participating
in this program, nor shall funds be provided for programs which are
incompatible with the regents plan for the expansion and development of
higher education in this state.