California Chafee Grant Program

The California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth (Chafee Grant) awards up to $5,000 a year to eligible foster youth. The Chafee Grant may be used at any eligible California college or university, or career or technical school. Students attending schools in other states may also qualify. A student’s receipt of a Chafee Grant award shall not exceed five years (whether or not consecutive).

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Chafee Grant, a student must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Not have reached your 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year.

AND

• Be a current or former foster youth who was a dependent or ward of the court, living a in out-of-home foster care placement, between the ages of 16 and 18.

OR

• Be a youth who was placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization between the ages of 16-18.

All foster care eligibility is verified by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). 

HOW TO APPLY

STEP 1: Submit a Chafee Application

STEP 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or  CA Dream Act Application (CADAA). The 2024-25 FAFSA/CADAA will be available in December 2023.

Interested students can still apply for the 2023-24 academic year through August 1, 2024. Current Chafee Grant applicants do not need to submit a Chafee Application annually. 

• The 2024-25 application opened on October 1, 2023.

Awardees are notified in July for the current Academic Year.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For more information please see our Frequently Asked Questions:
Chafee Grant Frequently Asked Questions

NEXT STEPS

Once a student has completed their application, they will receive a  confirmation email that their application has been submitted. The Commission will review the FAFSA or CADAA and Chafee Grant Application.

• If you applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check  the status of your application.
• Students selected for an award will be notified via email.
• The institution will verify payment eligibility, request funds, and disburse the check.

FORMS 

All Forms should be emailed securely to chafee@csac.ca.gov.

• Foster Care Verification Form (Only needs to be submitted if requested by the California Student Aid Commission).
• ILP County Contact Information (locate your county of residence and the individuals who may have more information about your foster youth status).
• Chafee Grant Update/Change Form (Please use this form for name changes, address changes, or school changes).

For more information contact the 
Chafee Grant Program at:
chafee@csac.ca.gov