Foster Youth

You may be eligible to apply for a Chafee Grant. The California Chafee Grant Program gives money to Foster Youth and former Foster Youth to use for vocational training or college courses. The Chafee Grant program, also known as the Educational and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally and state funded program and is subject to the availability of funds each year. The student must have been a Foster Youth between the ages of 16 to 18. The student must be under the age of 26** and have been eligible to receive services from the Department of Social Services Independent Living Program (ILP). Award amounts are based on need. Applications can be submitted on line at California Chafee Grant Application.

Chafee Grant Program

What is Chafee?

The Chafee Grant Program, also known as the Educational and Training Voucher (ETV), is a federally and state funded program and is subject to the availability of funds each year. You may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college courses. You don't have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you're in school.

Chafee Foster Your Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

Be a current or former foster youth who was a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, between the ages of 16 and 18
If you are/were in Kin-GAP, a non-related legal guardianship or were adopted, are eligible only if you were a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, between the ages of 16 and 18
Have reached your 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year
Have not participated in program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive)

Application Process

How do I apply?

To be considered for a California Chafee Grant, you must complete the following:

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online; or
If you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online. (Dream Act ID required to submit a Chafee Grant Application)
Submit the California Chafee Grant Application online

What happens after I apply?

The Commission will review your FAFSA or CADAA and Chafee Grant Application
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) may verify your foster status. If CDSS is not able to verify your status, please complete the Foster Care Eligibility Certification Form and mail it
Once all of the above is completed, the Commission will send you an email message if you are selected for an award
The MSJC Chafee Grant Coordinator will verify payment eligibility and will request payment
If you are eligible for a Chafee Grant check, it may take 4-6 weeks for the school to receive the check
The school will contact you when the check is ready for pick-up
If you applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check the status of your application

Receiving Chafee Funds

You must:

Be enrolled at least half time
Enroll in a program at least one academic year long
Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Demonstrate Financial Need

Renewing My Chafee Grant

If you receive a Chafee Grant, it may be renewed through your 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year
You don't need to reapply for a Chafee Grant each year, however you must submit a FAFSA or CADAA

Awarding Process

Once your application is received by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) it is sorted by application date, and awards are offered based on the following priority selection criteria below:

Paid renewal** students who have not reached their 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year
New and non-paid renewal*** students who will be 25 years old as of July 1st of the award year
New and non-paid renewal students who have dependents
New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of $5,000 or more
New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of less than $5,000

***Students who have not received a Chafee payment

Upon selection for an award, students are sent payment notifications for each term.