The proposed bill aims to establish the Great Expectations Pilot Program within West Virginia's community and technical college system to support foster children transitioning to higher education. The program will pair foster children with specialized coaches who will assist them in assessing their skills and interests, planning for college enrollment, and navigating the application process. Additionally, the coaches will help foster children secure financial aid and scholarships, including tuition grants for those who have experienced foster care, thereby addressing the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population.

Funding for the program is set at $95,000 per year, sourced from a newly created special revenue account, which will cover the salary and benefits of the Great Expectations Coach as well as necessary resources for recruitment and support services. The pilot program is scheduled to commence on September 1, 2025, and will run for three years, after which an evaluation will be conducted to assess its success and potential for broader implementation across other community and technical colleges in the state.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18B-3G-1, 18B-3G-2, 18B-3G-3, 18B-3G-4