HUD has announced $38.2 million in new Foster Youth to Independence funding to expand housing opportunities for young adults transitioning from foster care. Join HUD’s August 26 webinar to learn about Notice PIH 2026-19, key program updates, and questions from housing, child welfare, and community partners.

This evergreen post explains who we mean when we say “students with foster care experience” and students with independent status, including those who have been in foster care, kinship care, child welfare involvement, or unstable housing. It breaks down how definitions and eligibility rules vary, why that matters for access to supports and financial aid, and how NRC‑FAHE centers identity, confidentiality, and self‑determination in this work.