Chaffee Grants are for students who are or were in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court and have financial need. Students may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6.0 units).
To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a current or former foster youth who was a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, between the ages of 16 and 18.
- Youth who are/were in Kin-GAP, a non-related legal guardianship or were adopted, are eligible only if the youth was a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, between the ages of 16 and 18.
- Not have reached your 22 birthday as of July 1 of the award year.
To be considered for a Chafee Grant, you must complete the following steps:
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online; or if you do not have a Social Security Number (SSN), submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online. (Dream Act Id required to submit a Chafee Grant Application).
- Submit the California Chafee Grant Application online.
- Your foster status will be verified electronically with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). If CDSS is not able to verify your status, please complete the Foster Care Eligibility Certification Form and mail it.
- Your school will submit the Need Analysis Report (NAR).
If you applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check the status of your application.
Once all of the above is completed, you will be notified by email if you are selected for an award. The school will verify payment eligibility and disburse the check to you. If you receive a Chafee Grant, it may be renewed through your 23 birthday as of July 1 of the award year. You do not need to reapply for a Chafee Grant each year; however, you must submit a FAFSA or CADAA. The Commission may contact you for updated information. Be sure to respond to e-mails, letters or forms that you may receive.
