The California Chafee Grant Program gives up to $5,000 annually in free money to foster youth and former foster youth to use for vocational school training or college courses. You don’t have to pay it back, and you can use the money for lots of things like childcare, transportation and rent!

You must be enrolled in a:

•    vocational school or college that is Title IV-eligible

•    course of study at least half time

•    course of study that is at least one year long and Title IV-eligible.

And you must keep those grades up, or “maintain satisfactory academic progress.”

To apply, you must:

• be eligible, or have been eligible for foster care, between your 16th and 18th birthday, and not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1 of the award year.

• File two forms:

1.     2011-2112 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. File online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students without a Social Security number or who are unable to complete a FAFSA may contact the California Student Aid Commission (Commission) for further instructions and assistance, AND

2.     California Chafee Grant Program Application. Log on to the Commission’s Chafee Grant Program Web site at: www.chafee.csac.ca.gov. There, you can fill out the online application and submit it electronically, or call the Commission and ask for an application.

• You can call 1-888-224-7268 Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:55 p.m.

• You can write the Commission, or mail your application to:

California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs
Attn: California Chafee Grant Program
P.O. Box 419029
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9029

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