Chafee Foster Care Program: Up to $5,000/Year for College

If you were in foster care, the statistics say the odds are stacked against you. The Chafee Foster Care Program is designed to change those odds.

It is the federal government’s massive investment in your future.

The crown jewel of the program is the Education and Training Voucher (ETV). It gives you up to $5,000 a year of “free money” for college or vocational school.

But that’s not all. Many states combine this with Tuition Waivers, meaning you pay $0 for tuition at public universities. The $5,000 ETV then goes straight into your pocket for rent, food, and books.

Key Details at a Glance

What This Opportunity Offers

1. The ETV (Cash for College) This is a grant. You don’t pay it back.

• You can use it for anything related to school: Tuition, dorm fees, a laptop, a bus pass, or even daycare for your own child while you are in class.

2. Independent Living Services (IL) Before you even turn 18, the Chafee program funds “IL” classes.

• They teach you how to budget, how to rent an apartment, and how to cook.
• Bonus: Many IL programs pay you cash incentives just for attending the classes.

3. Housing Vouchers (FUP/FYI) Chafee often links you to special housing vouchers (like the “Foster Youth to Independence” voucher) that pay your rent for 3 years after you age out of the system.

Who Should Apply

1. Current Foster Youth (14+) Start using the services now. Get the mentoring and the life skills training.

2. “Aged Out” Youth (18-21) If you left care at 18 without being adopted, you are the primary target. You are eligible for everything.

3. Former Foster Youth (up to 26) Even if you are 24 and haven’t been in school for years, you can come back. You are eligible for the ETV until your 26th birthday.

Insider Tips for Maximizing Your Benefits

1. Stack the “Waiver” and the “Voucher” This is the secret sauce that can give you a completely free college experience.

• Step 1: Apply for your state’s “Foster Care Tuition Waiver.” (e.g., In Texas, Massachusetts, or Florida). This makes tuition $0.
• Step 2: Apply for the Chafee ETV ($5,000).
• Result: Since tuition is $0, the school refunds the $5,000 ETV to you as a check. You use that money to live on.
• Step 3: Apply for the Pell Grant (up to $7,395 for low-income students). Since you are an independent student (because you were in foster care), you automatically qualify for the maximum Pell.
• Total: $0 tuition + $5,000 ETV + $7,395 Pell = $12,395 per year for living expenses. That is enough to cover rent, food, books, and transportation at most schools.

2. Don’t Quit if Your Grades Slip Regular scholarships drop you if your GPA falls below 3.0.

• The Chafee ETV is more forgiving. As long as you are making “Satisfactory Academic Progress” (usually a 2.0 or just passing classes), you keep the money. If you fail a semester, talk to your coordinator. They often give second chances.
• Many programs have “academic support” built in. If you are struggling, ask your ETV coordinator to connect you with tutoring, study groups, or academic coaching. These services are often free for ETV recipients.

3. Apply Every Year (Set a Reminder) It is not automatic. You must re-apply every single year (usually in the summer). Put a reminder in your phone for July 1st.

• Missing the deadline means missing $5,000. States have limited funding, and it is first-come, first-served in many places.
• Pro tip: Apply on July 1st at 12:01 AM. Seriously. Some states fund ETV on a rolling basis until the money runs out.

4. Use the “Extended Foster Care” Option Many states now allow you to stay in foster care until age 21 (instead of aging out at 18).

• This is called “Extended Foster Care” or “AB12” (in California). If you stay in care, you get continued housing, a caseworker, and access to more services.
• You can be in college and still be in foster care. This gives you a safety net while you are figuring out school.

5. Connect with Campus Support Programs Most universities have special programs for foster youth (sometimes called “Guardian Scholars” or “Fostering Success”).

• These programs provide: Priority housing (often free or reduced), emergency grants (for unexpected expenses like car repairs), mentoring, and a community of other foster youth.
• Ask the admissions office: “Do you have a program for students from foster care?” If they do, apply immediately.

6. Know Your Rights Under the FAFSA When you fill out the FAFSA, there is a question asking if you were in foster care at age 13 or older.

• If you check “Yes,” you are automatically classified as an “independent student.” This means the FAFSA does not ask for your parents’ income (even if you were reunified or adopted later).
• This is huge because it means you qualify for the maximum Pell Grant and other need-based aid, regardless of your current family situation.

7. Get Your Documents Early You will need a “Foster Care Verification Letter” for everything: ETV, tuition waivers, campus programs, housing vouchers.

• Get this letter from your state’s child welfare agency (DCF, DSS, DCFS, etc.) as soon as you turn 18. Get multiple certified copies and keep them in a safe place.
• If you lose it, getting a replacement can take weeks or months. Scan it and save it to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

Application Timeline

• Spring: Apply for FAFSA (Check the “Foster Care” box).
• Summer (June/July): Apply for the Chafee ETV through your state’s portal.
• August: Provide your class schedule to the coordinator.
• September: Funds are released to the school.

Required Materials

• Foster Care Verification Letter: This is the “Golden Ticket.” It is a letter from DCF/DSS stating the dates you were in care. Get multiple copies and keep them safe forever.
• FAFSA Student Aid Report: You must file FAFSA first.
• School Acceptance Letter.
• Budget: A simple breakdown of your costs (Rent, Food, Books).

What Makes an Application Stand Out

Communication. State coordinators manage hundreds of youth. If you are the one who emails them back instantly and submits documents on time, they will fight for you. If you ghost them, you lose the funding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Checking “No” on the FAFSA Question 53 on the FAFSA asks if you were in foster care. CHECK YES.

• This turns you into an “Independent Student,” meaning they don’t count your parents’ income (or lack thereof). It maximizes your Pell Grant (another $7,000+).

2. Dropping Classes Without Asking If you drop a class and go from “Full Time” to “Part Time,” your funding might get cut. Always call your ETV coordinator before you drop a class.

3. Losing Your Verification Letter You will need this letter when you are 18, 21, and 25. Do not lose it. Take a picture of it and email it to yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I was adopted? If you were adopted after age 16, you are usually still eligible for ETV. If you were adopted at age 2, you are not.

• The key date is whether you were in foster care at age 13 or older. If yes, you qualify even if you were later adopted or reunified with family.
• Some states have additional programs for adopted youth. Check with your state’s ETV coordinator.

Can I use it for a trade school? Yes! Welding, cosmetology, coding bootcamps—as long as they are accredited and eligible for federal student aid.

• Trade schools often cost less than four-year colleges, which means the $5,000 ETV can cover a larger percentage of your total costs.
• Many trade programs are shorter (6 months to 2 years), so you can finish school and start earning money faster.

Is the money taxable? Generally, scholarships used for tuition/books are tax-free. Money used for rent/food might be taxable. Ask a tax pro.

• In practice, most ETV recipients have low enough income that they don’t owe federal taxes anyway. But it is worth checking with a free tax preparer (VITA site) to be sure.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen? You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have certain immigration statuses (like refugee or asylee) to qualify for ETV.

• If you were in foster care but are undocumented, you are not eligible for federal ETV funds. However, some states have their own programs for undocumented foster youth. Check with your state.

Can I use ETV for summer classes? Yes, as long as you are enrolled at least half-time and making satisfactory academic progress.

• Summer classes can help you graduate faster or catch up if you fell behind. Talk to your ETV coordinator about funding summer enrollment.

What happens if I drop out? If you drop out of school, you lose the ETV for that year. But you can reapply if you re-enroll later, as long as you are still under 26.

• Life happens. If you need to take a semester off for mental health, family issues, or financial reasons, communicate with your coordinator. They might be able to help you find resources to stay enrolled or make a plan to return.

Do I have to pay it back? No. The ETV is a grant, not a loan. You never have to pay it back, even if you don’t finish school.

What if my state ran out of ETV funding? Some states have waiting lists if they run out of federal ETV funds. However, many states also have their own state-funded programs for foster youth.

• Example: California has the “Chafee Grant” (state-funded, up to $5,000) in addition to the federal ETV. If one runs out, you might still qualify for the other.
• Ask your coordinator about all available programs, not just ETV.

Can I get ETV if I am in the military? Yes, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements (age, enrollment, etc.).

• You can stack ETV with GI Bill benefits, which can give you an incredible financial package for school.

How to Apply

1. Google “[Your State] ETV Program”. (e.g., “California Chafee Grant” or “Florida ETV”).
2. Contact your Independent Living Coordinator.
3. Fill out the online application.

Official Info: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/youth/programs/chafee/