What the Chafee Program Offers Former Foster Youth

The Chafee Program gives you money for education or training after you leave foster care

The John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program is a federal program that pays for education, training, or other costs after you age out of foster care. Most states run a Chafee program, and the money does not have to be repaid. You can use it for college tuition, vocational school, a driver's license, housing deposits, or other expenses that help you live independently.

The program is run by your state's child welfare agency or a partner organization they contract with. The amount of money available and the exact rules about what you can spend it on vary by state. Some states give you a lump sum; others reimburse you as you spend. Some let you use the money until you turn 23; others stop at 21.

You do not have to have been in foster care for a certain length of time to be may be able to access. You do have to have been in state custody at some point after your 16th birthday, and you have to have left care because you turned 18 or aged out (not because you were adopted or returned home).

Key Takeaways

• Chafee money does not have to be repaid and can be used for education, training, housing, transportation, or other independence expenses.
• Each state sets its own rules about how much money is available, what you can spend it on, and how long you can receive it.
• You must have been in state foster care after age 16 and left care by aging out to be may be able to access in most states.
• You apply through your state's child welfare agency or a partner organization, and the process and timeline vary by state.
• Some states let you use Chafee money alongside other aid like Pell Grants; others count it as income that reduces other benefits.

How much money you can get and what it covers

The total amount available through Chafee varies by state and depends on how much federal funding the state receives and how many young people are may be able to access. Some states have $5,000 or less per person per year; others have $10,000 or more. A few states have waiting lists when funds run out.

What you can spend the money on also varies. Most states cover tuition and fees for college or vocational programs. Many cover housing costs like rent deposits, utility setup, or first month's rent. Transportation, childcare, medical expenses, and professional licensing fees are common in some states but not others. A few states let you use Chafee for almost anything that supports independence; others have a narrow list.

Before you apply, contact your state program directly and ask what the current funding level is and what expenses they cover. This is the fastest way to know whether Chafee will help with what you need.

Age limits and how long you can receive money

Most states let you receive Chafee money until you turn 23. Some stop at 21. A few extend to 26 if you are in school. The clock usually starts when you turn 18 or age out of care, whichever is later.

You do not have to use all your money at once. Many young people receive Chafee over several years as they move through school or training. If you do not use your full amount by the age cutoff, you lose it — there is no carryover to the next year in most states.

If you are currently in school or training and approaching the age limit, ask your state program whether you can finish your current program after you turn the cutoff age. Some states make exceptions; others do not.

How to find and contact your state program

Chafee is run by your state's child welfare agency, usually called the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Human Services, or something similar. The program may be called the Chafee Program, the Independent Living Program, or the Youth Transition Program.

The fastest way to find your state program is to call your former caseworker or your current independent living coordinator if you have one. They can tell you the program name, how to apply, and what documents you need. If you do not have a caseworker, call your state's main child welfare number and ask for the Chafee or Independent Living Program.

You can also search online for "[Your State] Chafee Program" or "[Your State] Foster Care Independence Program." Many states have a dedicated website with application forms and contact information. If you cannot find it, the National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council maintains a state-by-state directory.

What you need to apply

Most states ask for proof that you were in foster care and proof of your current situation — usually a copy of your birth certificate or ID, your Social Security number, and documentation of what you are using the money for (like a college acceptance letter or a lease).

Some states also ask for proof of income or a statement that you are working toward independence. A few require you to be enrolled in school or a training program, though many do not. The exact documents vary by state.

When you contact your state program, ask for a complete list of what they need before you gather anything. This saves you a trip back if you bring the wrong documents. Many programs accept applications by mail, email, or in person.

How Chafee interacts with other aid and benefits

If you are receiving Pell Grants or other federal student aid, Chafee money may count as income on your FAFSA, which could reduce the aid you receive. Some states have worked around this by structuring Chafee as a loan or by timing payments so they do not affect your FAFSA calculation. Ask your state program how they handle this before you apply.

If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or other means-tested benefits, Chafee money may count as income and reduce your monthly benefit. Again, some states have found ways to minimize this impact. Your state program can tell you whether this will affect you.

Chafee does not affect most other benefits like Medicaid or housing vouchers, but the rules are state-specific. Before you accept Chafee money, ask your state program and your benefits caseworker whether it will change any other aid you receive.

What happens if you do not use the money by the age cutoff

In most states, if you reach the age limit and have not used all your Chafee money, you lose it. The money does not roll over to the next year, and you cannot request an extension to use it later. This is why it is important to plan ahead if you are approaching the cutoff age.

If you are close to the age limit and have not used your full amount, contact your state program and ask whether you can spend it quickly on something you need — like a professional license, a car repair, or a security deposit. Some programs are flexible about timing if you are running out of time.

If you turn the cutoff age before you finish school, ask your program whether they have any exceptions or whether you can transfer to a different program that extends further. Some states have additional funding for young people in school past the Chafee age limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be in school to get Chafee money?

Most states do not require you to be in school, though many prioritize young people who are. Some states let you use Chafee for vocational training, apprenticeships, or work-related expenses even if you are not in a formal education program. Check your state's rules to see whether your situation qualifies.

Can I use Chafee money if I was adopted out of foster care?

No. Chafee is only for young people who aged out of foster care — meaning you turned 18 while in state custody and left care because of your age. If you were adopted, returned home, or left care for another reason, you are not may be able to access for Chafee.

What if I left foster care but did not know about Chafee until later?

You can still apply as long as you are under your state's age limit, even if you left care years ago. Contact your state program and explain your situation. They can tell you whether you are still may be able to access and how much time you have left to use the money.

Can I get Chafee money if I was in foster care in one state but now live in another?

You apply through the state where you were in foster care, not the state where you currently live. Contact the child welfare agency in the state that had custody of you. Some states let you receive payments while living out of state; others require you to live in the state to receive funds.

Does Chafee money count as income for taxes?

Chafee money used for may have access to education expenses (like tuition and fees) is generally not taxable. Money used for other expenses may be taxable depending on what it is spent on. Ask your state program or a tax professional about your specific situation.