Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Complete the online Chafee ETV Grant
• If your foster care placement was not in Oregon, it is recommended that you apply for the Chafee Grant through the state you were in care (other state Chafee Grant contacts). If you apply through Oregon, additional documentation is needed. Email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov for support 

Chafee ETV Grant Application

To be eligible, you must:

• Currently be in child welfare foster care, or
• Had been in child welfare foster care for at least 180 days (six months) after your 13th birthday and exited substitute care at age 14 or older, or
• Be a former foster youth who was adopted or entered into a guardianship on or after your 13th birthday, and your adoption/guardianship finalized after 9/1/2015
• Must be 25 or younger to apply. Final Chafee Grant disbursement much be received the term before the youth turns age 26

The 2025-2026 Chafee ETV Grant application is now open. The application deadline is based on the term you plan to start college. Chafee application deadlines by term:

• Fall - August 1
• Winter - November 1
• Spring - February 1
• Summer - May 1

Please indicate all term(s) that you attended or will be attending. You may or may not be considered for terms past their deadline(s), however, you will be considered for future funding.

Your Chafee ETV Grant application will be reviewed by the Independent Living Program at the Department of Human Services to verify that you are eligible to receive the Chafee Education and Training Grant. 

OSAC will notify the college on your application if you are eligible to receive a Chafee ETV Grant. If you change schools, you must update your college choice on the application. Mid-year changes may delay funding from one school to another. 

Your college will determine the amount of your grant based on your financial need after any state or federal grants (Pell, Oregon Opportunity Grant, etc.). Chafee Voucher funds received directly from the Oregon Department of Human Services will be subtracted from your Chafee Grant award. 

Your college should provide you with a financial aid package with details on the type and amount of financial aid you are eligible for at that college, including your Chafee Grant. You may be required to complete additional requirements at your college to receive your award. It is important to check with the financial aid office at the college you are attending prior to your first term.

Disbursement Amounts
The maximum award amount for the 2025-2026 academic year is $5,000.

The Chafee Grant is a need-based grant. Your award amount may be less than the maximum based on your total cost of attendance, enrollment level, or other aid you receive (such as scholarships and other grants).

Awards will not exceed $5,000 per academic year. Award amounts may vary and will be awarded based on availability of funds.

Fund Disbursement
Your Chafee Grant funds will be sent to your college or university business office about two weeks prior to the start of each term or semester.

Neither OSAC nor the Oregon Department of Human Services have control over the time it takes your school to apply your Chafee grant funds to your student account. Some schools will apply the funds at the beginning of the term/semester, while other schools wait until class add/drop period is over. Please contact your school regarding receiving your funds before you contact OSAC.

Sign and return the financial aid award letter when you receive it from your school, or accept your award online. 

If you decide to change schools, or have an address, telephone number, or email change after completing the Chafee application, update your Profile in the OSAC Student Portal. You should also inform your ILP (Independent Living Provider) worker of any changes if you still have one.

Keep a copy of your application and any additional correspondence you receive.

If you do not receive your financial aid award letter, contact the financial aid office at your college.

If you receive a message or letter from the ILP Desk, OSAC, or your school requesting additional information from you, respond promptly.

Oregon does not have access to foster care records from other states. The website for Chafee Education and Training contacts in each state is:  Child Welfare Information Gateway

We will need a letter from the other state with the following information:

• Student’s full name
• Date of birth
• Date entered foster care
• Date exited foster care

Oregon verifies that you have at least 180 days of foster care after your 13th birthday and that you exited foster care on or after your 14th birthday. This foster care information should be submitted to:

ILP Program Coordinator
Human Services Building
500 Summer Street NE, E76
Salem, OR 97301-1064
Phone: (503) 884-8821
Fax: (503) 945-6969
Email: ilp.central@odhsoha.oregon.gov