Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families — Foster Youth Transition Services

Minnesota’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) maintains foster-care records and transition resources for young people leaving care, and administers the Education and Training Voucher (ETV). That role matters for Fostering Independence Grant because OHE needs foster-care history confirmed before the school calculates aid. DCYF does not by itself decide the final financial-aid package; the participating institution and OHE apply the grant rules.

The ETV page says current and former foster youth may receive up to $5,000 per academic year for postsecondary education, subject to eligibility, need, and available funds. ETV is separate from FIG. Minnesota says students who qualify for ETV and attend a participating FIG institution may also be considered for the state grant; aid is coordinated so readers should not assume two full payments for the same cost.

DCYF lists ETV requirements that must not be confused with FIG’s: the student must be under 26, attend an accredited Pell-eligible institution, have completed high school or a GED, and meet one of several specific foster-care, adoption, guardianship, or extended-care conditions. The page lists up to five years of use and possible costs including tuition, books, housing, child care, transportation, and other education or living expenses.

The ETV application path depends on the campus. If a student applies to a participating FIG institution and answers yes on FAFSA to having been in foster care at age 13 or older, DCYF says the student is automatically considered for ETV without another application. At a school not participating in FIG, the student must submit the online ETV application each year and provide documents such as a class schedule and aid award letter; out-of-state renewals may also need a transcript.

For Fostering Independence Grant, the file and limits differ: Minnesota residency, under age 27, eligible history after age 13, FAFSA or the state application, satisfactory progress, and a participating FIG institution in Minnesota. This distinction helps avoid spending time on an ETV form when the campus already triggers automatic consideration, or assuming the ETV maximum is the amount of FIG.

Before sending sensitive records, confirm with the college which form and foster-care proof are missing, who will receive the verification, and when the financial-aid package will be reviewed. The school may request placement or guardianship certification; do not send child-welfare records to addresses found on social media. Keep copies of applications and state-coordinator messages.

<a data-profile="mn-ohe">OHE publishes Fostering Independence Grant rules and the annual campus list</a>; <a data-profile="mn-dcyf">DCYF explains ETV, record verification, and application paths</a>. The agency also lists DCYF.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us for voucher guidance. The institution confirms eligibility, award amount, and covered costs in the individual file.

Who it serves and what it can cover: 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.

How to apply or get help: The state page provides ETV applications and lists DCYF.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us for voucher questions; for FIG, contact the Minnesota OHE program administrator. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information