The Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) can open a path to college or technical training for young people who experienced foster care. The federal government sets the framework and funds states, but each state organizes its application and confirms who meets local rules. There is no single nationwide application form. The Chafee ETV profile explains what to ask and where to begin.
The federal maximum is up to $5,000 per academic year or the cost of attendance, whichever is lower. A student’s actual award may be smaller because it depends on allocated funds, state rules, and approved expenses. Aid is for postsecondary education costs, which may include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and other recognized parts of the cost of attendance. Ask the coordinator for a current list of covered expenses and required receipts before purchasing or paying for anything.
Federal law covers young people eligible for Chafee services because of foster-care experience and certain exits from care through adoption or kinship guardianship after a specified age. A state may keep an ETV participant eligible until before age 26 if the student remains enrolled and makes satisfactory progress; total participation is limited to five years, consecutive or not. Entry age, enrollment, financial-need, citizenship, renewal, and funding rules are set locally and should not be copied from another state’s page.
To get started, contact your state child-welfare agency and ask for the Independent Living or ETV coordinator. Ask who verifies your foster-care record, which state application to use, when it is due, whether FAFSA is required, and whether a partner organization processes the award. Federal Student Aid also lists resources for current and former foster youth. FAFSA may be needed for other federal aid, but it does not automatically replace the ETV application; keep confirmation numbers and respond to verification requests.
Moving between states requires special attention. California says it may consider some cases that originated there even when a student now lives elsewhere, and California residents whose foster-care case began in another state, but it does not allow students to receive ETV from two states at once. That is a state-specific rule, not a nationwide assumption. Before accepting an award, get the amount, term, approved expenses, and coordination with Pell or other aid in writing so the same cost is not paid twice. If instructions are unclear, ask the child-welfare agency to connect you with a transition-age youth adviser.
FY 2026 Justification of Estimates: Chafee ETV — Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
42 U.S. Code § 677: Chafee Foster Care Program — U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel.
California Chafee ETV program — California Department of Social Services.
Indiana Chafee ETV program — Indiana Department of Child Services.
Informational guide based on official sources checked on October 12, 2026. Job and voucher availability changes by institution, state, and award year; confirm your requirements and account balance in writing.
ETV can provide up to $5,000 a year, but the state sets the process and actual award; contact the local coordinator before budgeting.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) — state-administered program
The federal program authorizes vouchers of up to $5,000 per year or the cost of attendance, whichever is lower; actual awards depend on funding and local rules. The law allows up to five nonconsecutive years and, if the state adopts the extension, eligibility through age 26 while enrolled and making satisfactory progress.
Federally funded voucher administered by states and tribes for young people who experienced foster care
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
California Department of Social Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Indiana Department of Child Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) — state-administered program ↗
Primary source
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) — state-administered program ↗
Primary source
U.S. House Office of the Law Revision Counsel · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) — state-administered program ↗
Primary source
California Department of Social Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Chafee Education and Training Voucher (ETV) — state-administered program ↗
Primary source
Indiana Department of Child Services · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.