California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth
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.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:
1. 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.
2. 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, for at least one day between the ages of 16 and 18.
3. Not have reached your 22nd birthday as of July 1st of the award year.
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 2506, starting with the 2017-18 award year, you can only receive your Chafee Grant if you attend a school that is either of the following:
1. A qualifying institution that is eligible for participation in the Cal Grant Program.
2. 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.
Applying
1. Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
or California Dream Act Application (CADAA)
; Dream Act applicants: Dream Act ID required to submit a Chafee Grant application
2. Submit the California Chafee Grant Application
3. Login or create your WebGrants for Students account to track your Chafee application. You can also check the status of other state programs, like Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship.
Renewing My Chafee Grant
If you received a Chafee Grant, it may be renewed through your 23rd birthday as of July 1st of the award year. You do not need to reapply for the 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 emails, letters or forms that you may receive.
What Happens After I Apply?
The Commission will review your FAFSA or CADAA and Chafee Application.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) may verify your foster status. If CDSS is not able to verify your status, please complete the Foster Care Eligibility Certification Form
and mail it.
Once all of the above is completed, the Commission will send you an email message if you are selected for an award.
The school will verify payment eligibility close to University Census (fifth week of the semester) and request the Chafee Payment if all enrollment, and need requirements are met.
If you applied for a Chafee Grant, go to WebGrants for Students to check the status of your application.
Awarding Process
Student's completed applications are sorted by application date, and awards are offered based on the following priority selection criteria:
- **Paid renewal students who have not reached their 23rd birthday as of July 1st of the award year.
- New and ***non-paid renewal students who will be 22 years old as of July 1st of the award year.
- New and non-paid renewal students who have dependents.
- New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of $5,000 or more.
- New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of less than $5,000.
** Students who have received a Chafee payment.
*** Students who have not received a Chafee payment.
Upon selection for an award, students are sent payment notifications for each term.
The majority of Chafee Grant awards are initiated during the fall term and additional awards are offered year round based on available federal and state funding each year.
Disbursements
Chafee Grant disbursement will occur after the University census date (typically the 5th week of the semester) for the semester you are enrolled. Chafee funds are available through E-deposit. If you have not done so, please enroll in direct deposit with an active checking or savings account from the United States. Chafee Funds will apply towards balances first and then the remaining funds will go to you.
CSAC’s Selection Process
Student's completed applications are sorted by application date, and awards are offered based on the following priority selection criteria:
• **Paid renewal students who have not reached their 23rd birthday as of July 1st of the award year.
• New and ***non-paid renewal students who will be 22 years old as of July 1st of the award year.
• New and non-paid renewal students who have dependents.
• New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of $5,000 or more.
• New and non-paid renewal students who have an unmet need of less than $5,000.
** Students who have received a Chafee payment.
*** Students who have not received a Chafee payment.
Upon selection for an award, students are sent payment notifications for each term.
Chafee Success Plan:
SB 150 is a new regulation that went into effect on January 1, 2020, that affects chafee recipients. If you are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) after two consecutive terms, and are not able to submit a SAP appeal, you are able to submit a Chafee Student Success Plan for Chafee consideration. You must meet with an academic advisor to complete the Chafee Student Success Plan. The Chafee Coordinator will review your form and process your Chafee Grant accordingly. Please keep in mind this only gives you eligibility for another Chafee payment and it will not grant you eligibility to other federal and state aid.
If you are not meeting SAP for a fourth consecutive semester, you will be disqualified for Chafee. We encourage you to submit a SAP appeal, if eligible to submit one. Please review our SAP policy for more information.
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR FOSTER YOUTH @ CSUF
The Guardian Scholars Program provides on-campus support services for Foster Youth. The Guardian Scholars Program is one of six scholar programs in the Center for Scholars at CSUF. There are several avenues for former foster youth to gain resources and support at CSUF. Please review the information below to learn more. You can also find more info on our website at http://365dafa6.com/scholars
Support Services Program
The Guardian Scholars Support Services are provided by the Center for Scholars in collaboration with on-campus partners and include the following:
• Access to Year-Round On-Campus Housing
• Priority Registration
• Educational and Community Enrichment Activities
• Individual Counseling / Life Coaching
• Student Study Spaces
• Computer Lab & Free Printing
• Visit our website to apply - http://365dafa6.com/scholars
Scholarship Program
• Services from the Support Services Program, and
• Scholarship support that enhances individual financial aid award offers
• Application deadlines are on the Scholars website - http://365dafa6.com/scholars
Contact Information:
Center for Scholars
Guardian Scholars Program
Location: Gordan Hall - 123
Website: Guardian Scholars
Email: scholars@365dafa6.com
Phone: 657.278.3458
Office Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM | Monday - Friday
Other Resources
• Students can seek resources and support due to unforeseen hardships due to food, housing, and financial security.
Food Resources:
• Students can seek support when faced with food insecurity.
• Students can seek resources on alternative commute options and parking programs.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS):
• Students can seek a variety of counseling sessions to help with adjusting to college life, cope
with personal challenges,
• Students can seek a wide variety of scholarships and awards to apply to.
California Student Aid Commission
Specialized Programs Operations Brach - Chafee
P.O. Box 419029
Rancho Cordova, CA 95741
Phone: 888.224.7268
Fax: 916.464.7977
