Step-by-step guide

How to pay for college or training after foster care

The short answer

Start with the FAFSA. If you were in foster care at any time after you turned 13, you count as an independent student, so your parents' income isn't used. That often means a bigger Pell Grant, which you don't pay back.1 3

Then ask your state for a Chafee Education and Training Voucher. It can pay up to $5,000 a year for college or job training until you turn 26, for up to 5 years in total. Some states, like Texas, also waive tuition at public colleges.4 5 8

Updated October 2026. Rules differ by state, so call your office before you go. Questions? We're here: call or text 888-860-RISE.

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Your steps, in order

1
Fill out the FAFSA as an independent student
The FAFSA asks whether, at any time since you turned 13, you were in foster care or a ward of the court. If yes, you are independent, even if you were later adopted or went home.1
Answering yes gives you provisional independent status. The financial aid office may then ask for proof before it pays your aid.1
The FAFSA itself is free. Never pay a website to file it.3
Tip:
Don't have your foster care papers? Schools must accept proof such as a court order, a letter or call from your child welfare agency or state Medicaid agency, a statement from your attorney, guardian ad litem or CASA, or proof you got a Chafee voucher.1
2
Get your Pell Grant
For the 2026 to 2027 school year, the largest Pell Grant is $7,395 and the smallest is $740. You get it by filing the FAFSA; there's no separate form.2 3
Pell is for undergraduates who don't have a bachelor's degree yet, at any age. You don't have to pay it back except in certain cases, and you can get it for about six years in total.3
3
Apply for a Chafee Education and Training Voucher
The voucher pays up to $5,000 a year or your school's full cost of attendance, whichever is less. You can use it until you turn 26 while you're enrolled, for no more than 5 years, and the years don't have to be in a row.4 5
It's for young people who are in foster care at 14 or older, who aged out, or who were adopted or went to a guardian at 16 or older. Each state runs its own program and may add rules, such as a minimum GPA.5 6
To find your state's program, ask your caseworker or independent living worker, or contact your state child welfare agency.5
Bring
- Your FAFSA Submission Summary
- Your acceptance letter or class schedule
- Proof you were in foster care (your agency may already have it)
- Your school's cost of attendance from your aid offer
4
Ask about state tuition waivers and grants
Some states waive tuition and fees at public colleges for youth from foster care. Texas does for many youth who were in state care on their 18th birthday or high school graduation day; you must enroll before your 27th birthday.8
Other states give grants instead. California's Chafee Grant pays up to $4,500 for 2026 to 2027, and Washington's Passport to College pays up to $2,000 for 2026 to 2027 on top of other aid.9 11
Tip:
Ask your college's financial aid office one direct question: "Is there any money or waiver for students who were in foster care?" Rules and names differ by state, and staff know their own programs.
5
Find the foster youth support program on campus
Many colleges have staff just for students from foster care. In California, every college campus has a Foster Youth Liaison; community colleges run NextUp, with help for books, transportation, emergency housing grants and priority registration, and UC and CSU campuses have Guardian Scholars.10
In Washington, Passport students get first pick of State Work Study jobs, and college staff provide support services.11

What it costs

Aid	How much
FAFSA	Free
Federal Pell Grant (2026 to 2027)	$740 to $7,395 a year, based on need
Chafee Education and Training Voucher	Up to $5,000 a year, until 26, for up to 5 years
California Chafee Grant (2026 to 2027)	Up to $4,500 a year
Washington Passport to College (2026 to 2027)	Up to $2,000 a year
Texas tuition and fee waiver	Tuition and fees waived at state-supported colleges

State examples

Many states add their own money on top of federal aid. These are examples from each state's own pages; ask your independent living worker what your state offers.

Utah

Workforce Services runs the voucher: up to $5,000 a year for tuition and books, plus mentoring and help with living costs and transportation while in school, until 26. You must apply for federal aid, keep a 2.0 GPA, and apply for DCFS's Olene S. Walker Transition to Adult Living Scholarship.6 7

Texas

Tuition and fees are waived at state-supported colleges for youth who were in state care on qualifying dates, and for some youth adopted from state care. Get a signed waiver letter from Preparation for Adult Living staff and take it to the registrar. Enroll before your 27th birthday.8

California

Chafee Grant of up to $4,500 for 2026 to 2027 if you were in foster care for at least one day between ages 16 and 18 and are under 26 on July 1 of the school year. Cal Grant students from foster care may get up to $6,000 more, and community college students have until September 2 to apply for Cal Grant.9 10

Washington

Passport to College helps youth who were in foster care after age 13 and enroll at least half time by 21. It covers tuition, books, housing and transportation, up to $2,000 for 2026 to 2027, with campus support staff.11

Stuck on a step? You don't have to do this alone.

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Questions people ask

Am I independent on the FAFSA if I was in foster care?

Yes, if you were in foster care or a ward of the court at any time after you turned 13, even if you later left care. Your parents' information isn't needed.

How much is the Chafee Education and Training Voucher?

Up to $5,000 a year, or your school's cost of attendance if that's less. You can use it until you turn 26, for up to 5 years in total. Some states add their own rules.

Can I use these for trade school, not just college?

Often, yes. The Chafee voucher covers postsecondary education and training programs, and Pell Grants work at many career and trade schools that take federal aid. Ask the school whether it takes federal student aid.

Is there free college for foster youth in Utah?

Utah offers a voucher of up to $5,000 a year through Workforce Services and DCFS's Transition to Adult Living Scholarship. Ask your college's financial aid office whether any tuition waiver applies to you.

I'm over 21. Is it too late?

No. The Chafee voucher runs to 26, and Pell Grants have no age limit. Some state programs end sooner, such as Washington's, which requires you to enroll by 21.

Keep going: more first-step guides

Sources

Official pages, read in October 2026. Rules change. If something here looks out of date, please let us know at hello@riseaid.org and we'll fix it.

1.U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. 2026-27 FSA Handbook, Application and Verification Guide, chapter 2: Filling out the FAFSA form
2.U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. 2026-27 Federal Pell Grant maximum and minimum award amounts (January 2026)
3.U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. Don't miss out on Federal Pell Grants
4.U.S. Code (via Cornell Law School). 42 U.S.C. § 677: John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
5.Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
6.Utah Department of Workforce Services. Education and Training Voucher (ETV) flyer
7.Utah Division of Child and Family Services. Youth services: education and employment
8.Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. What is the state college tuition waiver?
9.California Student Aid Commission. California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
10.California Student Aid Commission. Foster youth students
11.Washington Student Achievement Council. Passport to Careers