What the Chafee Program Offers Foster Youth Aging Out of Care

The Chafee Program helps young people who have been in foster care pay for college, vocational training, or independent living costs after they turn 18

The John H. Chafee Foster Care to Success Program is a federal fund that states use to help current and former foster youth cover education and living expenses. You don't apply to the federal government directly — your state runs its own Chafee program, and the money, rules, and how much you can receive depend on which state you're in. Most states let you use Chafee money from age 18 until age 23, though some extend it to 26.

The program covers tuition, books, housing, food, transportation, and other costs related to school or training. Some states also use Chafee money to help with independent living skills — things like learning to budget, find housing, or apply for jobs. The money usually goes to you directly, not to a school or landlord, which means you control how you spend it within the program's rules.

Key Takeaways

• Chafee money is distributed by your state, not the federal government, so the amount available and how long you can receive it varies by where you live.
• You can use Chafee funds for college, vocational programs, or independent living costs, and the money typically goes directly to you rather than to a school.
• Your state's child welfare or foster care agency is the first place to ask about Chafee, and they can tell you the exact income limits, age range, and application process for your state.
• Chafee is separate from other foster youth programs like Medicaid extensions or education waivers, so you may be able to use multiple programs at the same time.

How much money you can receive and for how long

The amount of Chafee funding varies significantly by state. Some states have enough money to give every may be able to access young person a set amount each month or semester; others have limited funds and prioritize based on need or other factors. A few states have waiting lists when money runs out. The length of time you can receive Chafee also depends on your state — most programs run from age 18 to 23, but some states extend support to age 25 or 26.

To find out what your state offers, contact your state's child welfare agency or the foster care caseworker you're working with. They can tell you the exact monthly or annual amount, how long you can receive it, and whether there are waiting lists. If you've already left foster care and don't have a caseworker, your state's Chafee coordinator can answer these questions — ask your former agency for their contact information.

What counts as an allowable use of Chafee funds

Chafee money is meant to cover costs directly related to education or independent living. For education, this includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board while in school, and transportation to and from school. For independent living, states can use Chafee to pay for housing, food, utilities, job training, and services that teach you life skills like budgeting or resume writing.

What you cannot use Chafee for depends on your state's specific rules. Most states do not allow Chafee money for things like car payments, phone bills, or entertainment. Some states are stricter about what counts as "independent living" versus education. Before you spend Chafee money, ask your state's program coordinator what is and isn't allowed — spending it on something prohibited could mean you have to repay it.

Income limits and other requirements

Most states do not have strict income limits for Chafee the way some other programs do. The main requirement is that you were in foster care at some point, and you must be between 18 and 23 (or older, depending on your state). Some states require that you were in foster care for at least six months, or that you were in care at age 16 or 17. A few states have additional rules — for example, some require that you be pursuing education or training, while others support independent living even if you're not in school.

Your state's child welfare agency can tell you whether you meet the specific requirements. If you aged out of foster care years ago and are now older, you may still be able to receive Chafee if your state extends the program to your age. The rules are different in every state, so it's worth asking even if you think you might not may have access to.

How to find your state's Chafee program and get your free guide

Start by contacting your state's child welfare or foster care agency. If you're still in care, your caseworker should know about Chafee and can help you understand what your state offers. If you've already left care, call the main foster care office and ask to speak with the Chafee coordinator or ask for their contact information. You can also search online for "[your state] Chafee program" to find the agency's website and phone number.

When you contact them, ask for the application process, deadlines, the amount of money available, the age range for receiving it, and what you can use it for in your state. Some states have a simple form; others require you to meet with a counselor or provide documentation of your enrollment in school or a training program. Having your Social Security number and proof of your foster care history (like court documents or a letter from your former agency) will speed things up.

Chafee and other foster youth programs

Chafee is one of several programs designed to help young people who have been in foster care. You may also be able to use Medicaid extended to age 26, education fee waivers at public colleges in your state, tuition assistance programs for foster youth, or independent living programs run by your state. These programs have different rules and cover different things, so you can often use more than one at the same time.

For example, you might use Chafee to cover housing costs while you're in college, Medicaid to cover health care, and a state tuition waiver to cover tuition. Ask your state's foster care agency about all the programs available to you — they can help you understand which ones you might use together and which have conflicting rules.

What happens if you don't use all your Chafee money in one year

Rules about carrying over unused Chafee money from one year to the next vary by state. Some states let you save it; others require you to use it within a set time or lose it. A few states have a total amount you can receive across all years, so saving money one year might mean you have less available later. Ask your state's Chafee coordinator about their carryover policy before you decide whether to spend money now or save it for later.

If you're not sure whether you'll need the money, it's usually safer to ask before turning it down. Some states will let you defer receiving funds for a semester or year and then resume later, which gives you more flexibility than losing the money entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be in school to receive Chafee?

It depends on your state. Some states require that you be enrolled in college, vocational training, or a high school completion program. Others allow Chafee for independent living even if you're not in school. Contact your state's Chafee coordinator to find out whether school enrollment is required where you live.

Can I use Chafee if I'm already 21 or 22?

Most states allow Chafee until age 23, so yes. Some states extend it to 25 or 26. Even if you aged out of foster care years ago, you may still be able to receive Chafee if you're within your state's age range. Contact your state's foster care agency to ask about your specific situation.

What if I was in foster care in one state but now live in another?

You typically receive Chafee from the state where you currently live, not the state where you were in care. However, rules vary, so contact the child welfare agency in your current state and ask. They can tell you whether you're may be able to access and what documentation you'll need to show your foster care history.

Can I use Chafee money for an online degree or certificate program?

Most states allow Chafee for accredited online programs, including online college degrees and vocational certificates. Some states have restrictions on for-profit online schools. Ask your state's Chafee coordinator whether the specific program you're interested in is allowed before you enroll.

What if I stop going to school — do I have to repay Chafee?

Repayment rules depend on your state and how you used the money. If you received Chafee for education and then dropped out, some states may ask you to repay part of it; others do not. If you used it for independent living, repayment is less common. Ask your state's program coordinator about repayment expectations before you receive funds.