Montoya Thomas can’t sleep. The 23-year-old former foster youth’s insomnia returned last month after being laid off in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. At night, she is beset by questions that won’t stop gnawing at her nerves: How will she pay the phone bill? Can she afford groceries this week? Will she be able to finish her classes at Lone Star College?

As millions of Texans clamor for public benefits during the global health crisis, the pandemic has exposed gaps in support for young adults who have aged out of foster care.

At some point in the future, the COVID-19 health crisis will come to an end. And while many aspects of daily life will slowly return to normal, higher education is likely to be affected for years to come. 

In this podcast, Robin Helms and Brad Farnsworth of the American Council on Education reflect on how colleges and universities are adapting as they move to online learning, the impact of the coronavirus on students' mental health, and the future of international education.