Research indicated that former foster youth encounter unique challenges in pursuit of degree completion in higher education. Degree completion has the potential to promote self-sufficiency skills for former foster youth, decrease dependency on social services, and increase the likelihood of successful transition into adulthood roles. By aiding former foster youth through degree completion and removing some of the barriers they face, higher education may be able to relieve some of the financial pressure of increasing retention and graduation rates. Appreciative inquiry was used to identify the challenges foster youth faced in their pursuit of a college degree, as well as, to explore what helped students be successful in this environment. This study incorporated qualitative data collection methods. Interviews were administered face-to-face with eight university students who use the foster care tuition financial aid waiver. Focus group participants consisted of college alumni who lived in foster care during their teen years. Field notes were recorded during the interviews and focus group. NVivo 11 was used to code the study's data and identify common themes. Themes of financial, social support, and emotional health emerged as needs for foster alumni in the college setting. As for existing supports for foster alumni, the themes of concrete supports, informal supports, university supports, and a lack of support emerged. Study results were disseminated as actionable recommendations to university administrators for future program development. Results may also be delivered through professional presentations to personnel in higher education and child welfare systems as well as through scholarly publication and professional presentations in the fields of education and social work. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]