Minnesota’s Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant (FIG) is state aid for residents who experienced foster care and want to pursue higher education in Minnesota. It can reduce the cost of attendance after other grants and scholarships are considered. It is not an automatic check or a benefit portable to an out-of-state college: it requires record verification, an annual application, and enrollment at a participating institution.
The general rule is Minnesota residency, under age 27, and time in Minnesota foster care at some point after turning 13. Certain people adopted from foster care after age 13 or placed with a permanent legal custodian may also qualify, as may youth eligible for an Education and Training Voucher (ETV). OHE also requires a high-school diploma or equivalent and admission to or enrollment at an eligible school.
Students must complete FAFSA or the MN Alternative State Financial Aid Application and maintain satisfactory academic progress under the institution’s rules. Both applications ask about foster care, and the state agency verifies the history. If FAFSA is not an option, review Minnesota’s alternative application; do not assume immigration or citizenship status alone bars its use without checking official criteria. The application must be renewed each academic year.
The official 2026–27 list includes participating public and private campuses: Minnesota universities, University of Minnesota campuses, community and technical colleges, participating tribal colleges, and certain private colleges. FIG is not available at campuses outside Minnesota. Because private institutions can change participation by year, check the list for the specific academic year before accepting an offer or paying a deposit.
FIG is a “last dollar” grant: the financial-aid office waits until the rest of the package is finalized, then calculates the eligible gap. At public campuses, the SAI, federal, state, tribal, private, and institutional grants and scholarships, ETV, and extended foster-care benefits are deducted. At private campuses, a capped recognized cost of attendance is used; participating schools also agree to address gaps under their agreements. The amount depends on each file, not on one advertised maximum.
For 2026–27, OHE lists May 1, 2026, as a priority date but says priority is used only if a funding shortfall is projected. If that date has passed, still submit FAFSA or the state application and ask OHE and the campus whether the program is accepting files; lateness alone does not mean denial. The school must receive other aid before calculating FIG and may need to move your file if OHE assigned you to a different listed campus.
A student in a two-year, certificate, or diploma program may receive up to three annual awards or the equivalent; a student in a four-year undergraduate program may receive up to five, subject to continued eligibility and not having earned a bachelor’s degree. OHE’s page provides the rules, contact, and institution list; DCYF explains foster-care verification and the relationship to ETV. Call OHE’s listed contact at 651-355-0617 if the record or assigned campus looks wrong, and keep the school’s written estimate of the remaining balance.
Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants — Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
2026–2027 Fostering Independence Grant Eligible Institutions — Minnesota Office of Higher Education.
Education and Training Voucher Program — Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families.
Information checked against official sources on October 12, 2026. Rules and programs can change; the responsible agency and institution determine each case.
FIG may close part of a college funding gap, but eligibility and amount depend on residency, verified history, remaining aid, and a participating school.
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Minnesota Office of Higher Education — Fostering Independence Grant
For Minnesota residents under 27 who were in Minnesota foster care after age 13 or qualify through ETV. It is a last-dollar grant at participating Minnesota public or private institutions only, not a grant for any out-of-state college.
State higher-education office and Fostering Independence college grant for students with foster-care experience
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Foster Youth Transition Services
DCYF verifies care records and administers ETV, a separate but related program to FIG. At a participating institution, answering yes on FAFSA to foster care at age 13 or older may trigger automatic ETV consideration; an award remains subject to voucher criteria and available funds.
State agency that verifies foster-care history and provides Education and Training Voucher (ETV) guidance
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Minnesota Office of Higher Education — Fostering Independence Grant ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Foster Youth Transition Services ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Foster Youth Transition Services ↗
Primary source
Minnesota Office of Higher Education · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.