Chafee Education and Training Grant (ETG)

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• If your state of legal residency (question 18 on the FAFSA) is a state other than Oregon, OSAC will not receive your FAFSA information. Email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov for support
• Complete the online Chafee Education and Training Grant application
• If your foster care placement was in a state other than Oregon, it is recommended that you apply for Chafee ETV through the state you were in care (other state Chafee ETV contacts). If your apply through Oregon, there will be additional documentation needed. Email PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov for support 

Chafee Education and Training 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 2023-2024 Chafee Education and Training 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

On the application, you will see terms listed for the previous and upcoming academic years. Please indicate all term(s) attended or attending. You may or may not be considered for terms past their deadline(s), however, you will be considered for future funding.

Your Chafee Education and Training 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 that you are eligible to receive a Chafee Education and Training Grant. If you change schools, you must update your application to notify OSAC. 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 application of any state or federal grant monies (PELL, Oregon Opportunity Grant, etc.). ETV funds received directly from the Department of Human Services will be subtracted from your Chafee Education and Training Grant award. Your grant award will be included in your financial aid package prepared at your school.

The college that you will be attending should provide your financial aid offer that details the type and amount of financial aid that you are eligible for at that college. You may be required to complete additional processes at the 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 2023-24 academic year is $5,000.

As a reminder, funds are awarded based on need. Your award amount may be less than the amounts below based on your total cost of attendance, if you are attending less than full-time, or, if you are receiving other aid such as privately funded scholarships which reduce your total need after the federal Pell and the Oregon Opportunity Grants are taken into account.

At no time will awards exceed $5,000 per academic year. Award amounts may vary and will be awarded based on availability of funds.

Fund Disbursement
After your application is processed and schools notify the Office of Student Access & Completion of the amount of your award, your Chafee ETG will be disbursed (sent) to your college or university's Business Office approximately 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 particular school to apply your Chafee ETG funds to your student account. Some schools apply at the beginning of the term/semester, and others wait until add/drop is over. Some schools may be short-staffed or closed during certain holiday or break periods and may take longer to apply your funds. Please contact your school regarding receipt of 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 on-line if that is your school's preference.

If you decide to change schools, or have an address, telephone number, or email change after completing the Chafee application, notify OSAC by visiting your Student Profile. You should also inform your ILP 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 FAFSA records from other states. If you do not file a FAFSA as an Oregon resident you will need to mail a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) to:

Chafee Grant Administrator
3225 25th Street SE
Salem, OR 97302

Oregon does not have access to foster care records from other states. The website for Chafee Education and Training contacts in each state is http://www.fc2sprograms.org/about-etv/.

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 will be verifying 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@dhsoha.state.or.us