Financial Aid for Foster Youth in Illinois:

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DCFS Programs

 

None of these programs is accessed through filling out the FAFSA (although they all require you to do that first!). Each program below has its own separate application and most of them will require a caseworker to fill a portion out.

 
 

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV): $5,000

The ETV is a national program available to only youth in care or youth who aged out of care at age 18+, and youth who went to adoption or guardianship from care at age 16+. You can receive up to $5,000 per year for education expenses. See all the details as well as the application here: EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHER TIP SHEET . To apply, find DCFS form CFS 449-3.

DCFS Youth In College Placement

If you’re in DCFS care and going to an accredited college or vocational program full time, you are eligible for the Youth in College placement and receive the $1506 a month board payment. See more information here: YOUTH IN COLLEGE TIP SHEET Find DCFS form CFS 449 to apply.


 
 
 

DCFS Scholarship PROGRAM

The application becomes available on January 1 each year and is due by March 31. It is a full-tuition and fee waiver for Illinois public colleges, plus some additional benefits, such asa monthly board payment and the Illinois medical card. This scholarship is available for any youth in foster care, youth who aged out of care at age 18+, or for anyone who has been adopted or in a guardianship from Illinois. Check out more information here: SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TIP SHEET and find DCFS Form CFS 438 for the current year to apply. Please note, effective 2023, all DCFS Scholarship application packets must be submitted electronically to DCFS.Scholarship@illinois.gov.

Tuition and Fee Waivers

Youth from foster care in Illinois can receive a tuition and fee waiver if they go to a public, in-state college or university. You must be still in care, aged out of foster care at age 18+, or have gone to an adoption or guardianship from DCFS’s care. Keep in mind that room and board are not included! Be sure to fill out DCFS’s form 438A to receive the waiver.

For more information see: TUITION AND FEE WAIVER TIP SHEET