Representative Bill Hembree Chairman Higher Education 
 
Press Release 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2005 
 
CONTACT: Jenee' Burke (404) 656-0309 
jburke@legis.state.ga.us 
 
Hembree Assists Foster Children Seeking Higher Education 
 
CONTACT SHEET BIO E-MAIL LEGISLATION 
 
ATLANTA--Representative Bill Hembree (R-Douglasville) came to the aid of Georgia's Foster Children, sponsoring House Bill 272 which amended the Foster Child Education Grant. The Grant's purpose is to assist older youth who have grown up in the state's care with their post-secondary education expenses, including tuition, room and board, books and other attendance fees. 
In 2002, the General Assembly appropriated $260,000 to create the Grant. Prior to the creation of the Grant, the Department of Family and Children Services provided financial assistance to Foster Children seeking higher education. The problem, however, was that the aid stopped at age 21. Due to the displacement factor associated with being a foster child, many do not graduate from high school on time, leading to delayed college enrollment. 
The Grant takes these problems into account and extends the age cut-off for financial assistance to 25. Its aim is to provide Foster Children with a better opportunity for higher education, giving them a better chance of professional success which will make them less likely to be system-dependent again. 
"This legislation gives Foster Children a fair shot at an education. I think that it's important that we help them help themselves." Rep. Bill Hembree, Chairman of Higher Education