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Foster Youth

There are challenges to foster youth in accessing higher education, including obtaining financial aid for college. Unlike dependent low-income, first-generation students, Foster youth may need additional sources for financial support. See below for resources, tips on completing the FAFSA, and types of aid.

Independent Living Program

Are you a foster youth? The California Department of Social Services, Independent Living Program (PDF) (ILP) assists foster care youths in developing the skills necessary to make the transition from foster care to independent living. Contact your ILP county coordinator, first, about resources for which you may be eligible.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid is free. Apply by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must complete a new or renewal FAFSA for each academic year for which you will be enrolled. When completing the FAFSA, students must include CSU, Chico in Step 6. Chico State’s Federal School Code is 001146.

FAFSA Definition of Foster Youth

When you access the FAFSA online, before you begin filling it out, you can click on Determine Your Dependency Status to locate the dependency status worksheet. The following question helps determine your status and allows you to gather the documents you need to complete the FAFSA.

Question:  At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court? (On the paper FAFSA, this is question #55.)

The following table will help you answer some of the questions that cause difficulty for foster youth and wards of the court. Question numbers refer to the paper FAFSA. Steps refer to the FAFSA itself.

Summary of FAFSA Questions and Answers for Foster Youth
Question # 47, FAFSA Step 2 Welfare benefits, TANF	These benefits are not your income. They are income for the person receiving them, such as your foster parents. Do not include as part of your income any TANF or welfare benefits received by another person even if they care for you.
Question # 47, FAFSA Step 2 Free child care	Free day care is a service and should not be reported as income.
Question # 53, FAFSA Step 3 "Do you have children who receive more than half their support from you?"	You should answer "YES" to this question as long as you provide more than half of a child's support. Note: TANF or welfare benefits that are paid to you are considered untaxed income, which would be listed in Step 2, Question #47i of the FAFSA.
Question # 55, FAFSA Step 3 "At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care or were you a dependent or ward of the court?"
	The term "ward" means "dependent" of the court. Being a dependent child of the county (or state) is the same as being a ward of the court. A student is considered to be independent if he or she is a ward of the court, or was a ward of the court when they were age 13 or older.
	You can still be a ward of the court if you have a legal guardian or foster parents, but check with the court for your current status. Note: Neither legal guardians nor foster parents are considered parents when completing the FAFSA.
	Grandparents may be court-appointed, legal guardians, but they are not considered parents when completing the FAFSA
Question # 96, FAFSA Step 5 Number in household	If you live with foster parents and their children, they are not "family members" for the FAFSA. If you are independent as a result of being a ward of the court, and have no children of your own, you are a family of one (yourself).
Question # 106, FAFSA Step 7 Signatures	If you are a ward of the court, and thus considered independent, parental signatures are not required, even if you have living birth parents.

For additional helpful tips on completing the FAFSA questions that may cause difficulty for wards of the court or foster youth, see Helping Foster Youth and Wards of the Court Complete the FAFSA , information prepared by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

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Foster Youth and Types of Aid

Your eligibility for aid depends on your expected family contribution (EFC), your year in school, your enrollment status, and the cost of attendance. See the table above for explanations about what "family" means for foster youth and wards of the court. EFC is a generic term. Do not let it deter you from applying for aid because of the "family" terminology.

Once you have filled out a FAFSA, our office will use your EFC and other information to determine the amount of financial aid for which you are eligible. Your financial aid package will be comprised of various types of aid. The initial award offer is based on full-time enrollment, which is 12 units per semester for undergraduates. Awards may be adjusted for changes in enrollment, residency status, or overawards due to receipt of aid from other sources. Be sure to read the full explanation of financial aid policies and procedures when you receive e-mail notification of your award.

Grants:

"Gift" aid that is based on need. Grants do not have to be repaid. For more information on grants please visit the Grants page.

Federal Grants

1. Federal Pell Grant
2. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
3. Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
4. National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART Grant)

State Grants

1. Cal Grants
2. Chafee Grant – state grant specifically for foster youth

Program-Specific Grants

1. Educational Opportunity Program Grant (EOPG)
2. Student Support Services (SSSG)
3. Casey Family Scholars Grant – sponsored by Orphan Foundation of America

Scholarships:

"Gift" aid that is based on special considerations or qualifications. Scholarships do not have to be repaid. For more information on scholarships, please visit the scholarships page.

CSU, Chico Scholarships

California State University, Chico provides scholarship awards to eligible students, and students are encouraged to apply. See CSU, Chico Scholarships for more information.

Non-University Scholarships

There are organizations dedicated to providing opportunities and resources for foster youth to pursue a college education. Students also may research private and community scholarships. See Private Scholarships for additional information.

Other Types of Financial Aid

See federal Work-Study and Loans.

Resources and Support Links

The State of California has a Foster Youth Ombudsman Program to assist foster youth and former foster youth and to advocate for their rights. Consult this state Web site for what you are entitled to receive and how to get help accessing it.

Also see:

10 Facts Every Foster Youth Should Know
California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
Casey Family Programs

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