Nearly 30 foster care alumni are headed to college this fall after graduating this week from the FAST Academy at Texas Woman's University. The month-long residential summer school program helps former foster youth from across Texas prepare for college by building the academic skills, confidence and support networks needed to succeed.

FAST participants spent the past month living on campus, earning college credit in math and English, attending college-readiness workshops, and participating in field trips, game nights, guest speakers and other activities. Students are eligible to participate regardless of which college or university they plan to attend this fall.

Less than 10 percent of foster care alumni nationwide earn a college degree, but TWU is working to change that through the FAST (Foster Alumni Succeed and Thrive) Academy and its year-round Frontiers program, which has supported students with foster care backgrounds for more than 15 years.