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| If you are or were in foster care and have financial need, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states. |
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| To qualify, you must be a current or former foster youth and not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1 of the award year. The California Department of Social Services will determine your foster youth eligibility status. |
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| In addition, you must have financial need. Your school must report your financial need by submitting a Needs Analysis Report. You must also enroll at least half time in an eligible school, your program of study must be at least one academic year long, and you must attend class regularly and get good grades. |
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| To apply, you must submit the following two forms either via online or paper application: |
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 Chafee Grant application online |
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Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) |
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| If you prefer, you may print and submit the paper version of the Chafee Grant Application (paper version) and complete the paper FAFSA. You can download the FAFSA at www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov or call toll free 800-433-3243 to have one mailed to you. (If you don’t have a Social Security number or are an undocumented student, contact the Commission for assistance.) |
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| To learn more, read the Chafee Grant Fact Sheet or contact your high school counselor, college’s financial aid office, county or college Independent Living Coordinator, One-Stop Career Center, social worker or probation officer. If you’ve applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check on the status of your application. |
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| Already have a Chafee Grant? Your Chafee Grant may be renewed through your 23rd birthday. To renew your grant, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA but you don’t need to submit another Chafee Grant application. If you have moved, changed your name or transferred to another school, please call the Commission toll free at 888-224-7268 or complete the Chafee Grant Update and Change Form and mail it to the Commission: |
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California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Operations Branch
California Chafee Grant Program
P.O. Box 419029
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9029
Telephone 888-224-7268
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| The Chafee Grant is federally and state funded and is subject to the availability of funds each year. |
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Foster Care Eligibility Form |
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More Ways to Pay for College Fact Sheet |
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