Free Help for Foster Youth
Chafee Independent Living Help
Chafee helps older youth in foster care and young people who have left care prepare for adult life. Your state or Tribe runs the program, so the name, services and rules may be different where you live.
What It May Help with
School and Training
Help finishing school, entering college or training, and applying for Education and Training Vouchers (ETV).
Work
Job-readiness help, career planning, training and connections to employment services.
Housing
Housing planning, help finding stable housing and connections to programs available where you live.
Money and Daily Life
Budgeting, financial management, transportation and other independent-living skills.
People in Your Corner
Emotional support and connections to caring adults as you move toward independence.
Who May Qualify
- Youth age 14 or older who are in foster care.
- Young adults ages 18–21 who are in or formerly in foster care; some states continue services through age 23.
- Some young people who left foster care for adoption or guardianship at age 16 or older.
These are the federal starting points. States and Tribes can set additional rules, and not every service is offered everywhere.
Education and Training Vouchers
Federal ETV support can be up to $5,000 per year toward eligible college or training costs, limited by the school's cost of attendance. This is a maximum, not a promised award. Your administering state or participating Tribe decides eligibility, application dates, available funding and any additional support.
Ask your state agency for the current ETV administrator, age rules, eligible school or training programs, required documents and renewal deadline. If applying through a Tribe, confirm that it administers ETV or which state program serves you; not every Tribe runs its own program. Caregivers can help a teen find that contact, but application details go only to the official program—not Help Foster Youth.
How to Ask for Help
- 1. Ask by name. Tell your caseworker, former caseworker or state child welfare office: “I want to apply for Chafee or Independent Living services.”
- 2. Say what you need. Ask specifically about housing, school, ETV money, work, transportation or life-skills help.
- 3. Ask for the local contact. Programs may be run by a county, Tribe or community organization instead of the state office.
- 4. Get the answer in writing. Save the name of the person you spoke with, the date and any application or eligibility decision.
Official Sources
ETV limits reviewed October 27, 2026; general Chafee guidance reviewed October 7, 2026. Your state or participating Tribal program makes eligibility decisions.