RENO – The Nevada System or Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents unanimously approved a proposal crafted by NSHE and the Children’s Advocacy Alliance to provide transition-age foster youth in Nevada with resident tuition and fee waivers at NSHE institutions, including state universities and community colleges. The Children’s Advocacy Alliance is a grantee of the Walter S. Johnson Foundation, which is administered and staffed by Whitter Trust Company’s philanthropic division.
The Whittier Trust Company congratulates NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly and Children’s Advocacy Alliance Executive Director Denise Tanata for their leadership in crafting and advancing this policy, which will support the lifelong success of Nevada’s foster youth.
“Education is a critical need for every young person seeking a successful transition to adulthood,” said Whittier Trust Company of Nevada President William Ramsey. “We thank Chancellor Reilly for his commitment to helping this vulnerable student population, and we thank the trustees of The Walter S. Johnson Foundation for their impact in helping foster youth.”
Under this policy, transition-age youth who spent time in foster care on or after their 14th birthday will be exempted from the fall and spring semester tuition and the fees associated with enrolling in NSHE postsecondary institutions. Eligible youth can access the exemption through age 26, and the exemption will take effect Jan. 1, 2019. The policy received unanimous approval from all regents and Chancellor Reilly, as well as complimentary testimony from both Clark County and Washoe County leadership, State Senator Yvanna Cancela (D-Las Vegas) and numerous nonprofit leaders.
Lacking the family financial support of many of their peers, transition-age foster youth in Nevada are often unable to afford the costs of a quality postsecondary education, which is important in obtaining vocational certificates, community college degrees or university degrees. As a result, they experience lower levels of educational attainment, limiting their employability and hindering their transition to independence and self-sufficiency in adulthood.
“Exempting transition-age foster youth from tuition and fees at NSHE institutions will enhance their ability to access postsecondary classes, develop advanced skills, earn certificates and degrees, and compete in the state workforce,” said Yali Lincroft, program director for the Walter S. Johnson Foundation and vice president of philanthropic support for Whittier Trust. “We support this visionary new policy and congratulate Chancellor Reilly and Director Tanata for their work.”
About Whittier Trust:
Investment and Wealth Management Services are provided by Whittier Trust Company (WTC) and The Whittier Trust Company of Nevada, Inc. (WTC-NV) (referred to herein individually and collectively as “Whittier Trust”), state-chartered trust companies wholly owned by Whittier Holdings, Inc. (“WHI”), a closely held holding company. WTC-NV will be doing business as Whittier Trust in the State of Oregon. WHI may utilize the services of its subsidiary, Belridge Capital, LLC, an SEC registered investment advisor, to provide sub-advisory services for certain accounts and proprietary private fund investments. Whittier Trust is the oldest and largest private multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast and has been serving Nevada since 1995. Whittier Trust’s wealth management platform serves over 350 families and 30 foundations throughout the U.S. with over $12 Billion in assets. WTC-NV offers a Nevada Trust Situs with greater flexibility, optimal tax savings and maximum protection in their financial and estate planning. With an industry leading client-to-advisor ratio of 20-to-1, Whittier’s areas of expertise include Investment Management, Trust Services, Family Office, Philanthropic Advisory Services, Investment Consulting, and Real Estate & Energy. WTC has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Orange County. WTC-NV has offices in Reno, Seattle and Portland. To learn more, visit https://www.whittiertrust.com.
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