California Chafee Grant

If you are or were in foster care for at least one day, between the ages of 16 and 18 as a dependent or ward of the court 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.

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current or former foster youth who was a ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18
• If you are/were in Kin-GAP, a non-related legal guardianship, or were adopted, you are eligible only if you were a dependent or ward of the court, living in foster care, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18
• Have not reached your 26^th birthday as of July 1^st of the award year
• Have not participated in the program for more than 5 years (whether or not consecutive)

Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2506, you can only receive your Chafee Grant if you attend a school that is either of the following:

• A qualifying institution that is eligible for participation in the Cal Grant Program
• An institution that is not located in California with a three-year cohort default rate that is less than 15.5 percent and a graduation rate greater than 30 percent

• Your foster care placement history need only be verified once. Complete and submit a Foster Care Eligibility Form
• To be considered for a California Chafee Grant, you must complete the following:
  • Submit the FAFSA or CADAA application
  • For CADAA students, your Dream Act ID is required to submit a Chafee Grant Application
• Submit the California Chafee Grant Application online; first-time applicants only

• The Commission will review your FAFSA or CADA and Chafee Grant Application
• The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) may verify your foster status. If CDSS is not able to verify your foster status, please complete the Foster Care Eligibility Certification Form and mail it
• Once all of the above is completed, the Commission will send you a letter if you are selected for an award
• The school will verify payment eligibility and disburse the check to you
• If you applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check the status of your application

You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college as well as colleges in other states. In California, you can attend:

• Career and technical schools
• California Community Colleges
• California State University campuses
• University of California campuses
• Independent
• Private colleges

You must:

• Enroll in an eligible public or private college or university or technical school.
• Be enrolled at least half time.
• Enroll in a program at least one academic year long.
• Attend class regularly and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

If you receive a Chafee Grant, it may be renewed through your 26^th birthday as of July 1^st 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.

Current and/or former foster youth students can stay up-to-date by periodically monitoring their WebGrants4Students account. 

• Log on to https://mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov/ to set up your account.
• Access information and manage your account 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• You can also update your e-mail address, mailing address, telephone number or, school of attendance.

Tara Hamler

Feather River College
570 Golden Eagle Avenue
Quincy, CA 95971

Email: thamler@frc.edu
Phone: (530) 283-0202 ext. 301
Fax: (530) 283-4659
 

Visit the Commission’s Chafee Grant Web site at www.chafee.csac.ca.gov

Call toll free (888) 224-7268 Fax: (916) 464-7977

Write or mail:
California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Operations Branch - Chafee
P.O. Box 419027
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027

Current and/or former foster youth students may find helpful information on the following websites:

• Chafee Grant Frequently Asked Questions
• California College Pathways
• The Community College Foundation
• California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
• California Department of Social Services (CDSS)
• CDSS Children and Family Services Division
• California Youth Connection
• Foster Club