There are grants specifically designed to provide free money to
foster youth for college or career training. The resources below
can get you started down the road to aid and a successful
educational journey.
Learn more about How to Apply for the
different types of aid detailed below.
Cal Grant B for Foster Youth
Cal Grant B for Foster Youth program
expands aid for students who are current and former foster
youth to be eligible for increased Cal Grant eligibility.
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Foster youth students may renew
their Cal Grant B awards for the equivalent of eight years of
full-time attendance in an undergraduate program.
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Foster youth students have until
their 26th birthday to apply for the Cal Grant High School
Entitlement Award.
-
Foster youth students attending a
California Community College can apply for a High School
Entitlement award through September 5th (rather than March
2nd).
LEARN MORE ABOUT
THE CAL GRANT B FOSTER YOUTH AWARD
Questions about Cal Grant B for Foster Youth? Send an email to
studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
or give us a call at 1-888-224-7268, Monday through
Thursday from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Friday 8:30 am – 3:00
pm.
Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program
Chafee Foster Youth Grant Program is a
federal and state funded grant subject to yearly availability of
funds.
-
This program is administered by
the Commission through an interagency agreement with the
California Department of Social Services (CDSS).
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Chafee provides current or
former California foster youth up to $5,000 per year for
education expenses at an eligible California or out of state
college.
-
Awards may be used for
postsecondary education including career and technical
training.
Chafee Grant for Foster
Youth website
Chafee
Grant Factsheet
Questions about the Chafee Grant for Foster Youth? Send an email
to chafee@csac.ca.gov.
VISIT THE CHAFEE
WEBSITE
Other Resources
Students with Dependent Children
The Students with Dependents Children Program
increases the Cal Grant award beginning in the 2019-20 academic
year for students attending a University of CA (UC), California
State University (CSU), or California Community College (CCC), or
Private non-profit institutions.
-
Must have dependent children that
are under 18 years of age, and for whom they provide more than
half of their financial support for during the academic
year.
-
Are eligible to receive an access
award of up to $6,000 for Cal Grant A and
B recipients, and $4000 for Cal Grant C recipients, in
addition to the Cal Grant tuition and fee amounts.
-
Students With Dependent Children
(SWD) attending a University of CA, California State
University, California Community College, or Private non-profit
institution can qualify for an increased award amount.
LEARN MORE
Questions about the Students with Dependents Program? Send an
email to studentsupport@csac.ca.gov
or give us a call at 1-888-224-7268, Monday through Thursday from
8:30 am to 4:00 pm. Friday 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.
John Burton Advocates for Youth improves the
quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster
care or homeless by advocating for better laws, training
communities to strengthen local practices and conducting research
to inform policy solutions.
Get more information about the following resources: Educational
Resources, Housing Resources, Healthcare Resources, and Extended
Foster Care, and Resources for Parenting Foster Youth.
JOHN
BURTON ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH WEBSITE
Department of Social Services
The Department of Social Services provides
housing support, financial assistance and other resources for
California’s foster youth. In California, foster care benefits
don’t end at 18. When you turn 18, you have new options for
supportive housing, financial assistance, and more, up to the age
of 21. Visit the department’s Youth Page for more educational and
supportive resources.
Questions? Send an email to FosterCareEducation@dss.ca.gov
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES WEBSITE
Campus Support Programs
Many campuses have programs specifically to support current and
former foster youth. In addition to these programs, colleges
offer other support resources that may target
specific students, such as student parents or students
with disabilities, or that may be available to all students such
as tutoring or transfer counseling.
Campus
Support Programs for Foster Youth Search
Tool