The bill proposes the establishment of the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program by enacting sections 3301.96 and 3333.89 of the Revised Code. This program aims to provide financial assistance to qualifying students who have been placed in foster care, enabling them to pursue higher education. The bill mandates the Department of Education and Workforce to hire a full-time school foster care liaison to facilitate services that help students remain in their school of origin or assist with their transition to a new school if necessary. The liaison will also provide information about the scholarship program to students placed in foster care.

Under the Foster-to-College Scholarship Program, starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, eligible students will receive scholarships based on their financial need, calculated through a federal need analysis. The scholarship amount will cover the recognized cost of attendance after accounting for various forms of financial aid. The bill also includes provisions for the Chancellor of Higher Education to employ four full-time foster care student navigators to assist students in applying for the scholarship and enrolling in higher education institutions. The total appropriation for the program is set at $15 million, with funds allocated for both fiscal years 2026 and 2027.