Financial Aid and FAFSA

Students who are in the foster care system are considered independent under FAFSA guidelines and will not need to provide financial information from the parents and or legal guardian.  They are also eligible for an in-state tuition waiver valid at Arizona public community colleges/universities and additional ETV funds that could total $5,000 per year. Please look below for aid available for students in the foster care system, which includes kinship (family) foster care.

• Pell Grant Eligible

• Arizona Foster Youth Award (Tuition Waiver)

• Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV Funds)

• Scholarships

• Institutional Aid might be available depending on the case

Arizona Foster Youth Programs

The Foster Care to Success Student Portal offers one application to apply for both the Arizona Foster Youth Award (tuition waiver) and the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV). The application opens July 1st for students entering the current school year. Once the student submits the application, the State of Arizona will verify the student's eligibility and notify the financial aid office if the student qualifies for the Arizona Foster Youth Award and ETV funds.

Portal: Arizona

How to Apply

• The Foster Care to Success Student Portaloffers one application to apply for both the Arizona Foster Youth Award (tuition waiver) and the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV)  Portal: Arizona

• Once the student submits the application, the Foster Care to Success offices will reach out to the student to discuss enrollment in school, housing, working, etc.

• The student must also submit a financial aid release form every semester to the school’s financial aid office.

• The ETV Student Participation Agreement explains the student’s responsibilities as a program participant and must be signed and faxed or mailed to ETV before funding is disbursed.

The Arizona Foster Youth Award (tuition waiver)

In 2013, then Governor Jan Brewer signed into law a bill to help Arizona’s foster youth earn a college degree by offering them free tuition. This five-year pilot program uses a combination of federal grants and scholarships, and university aid to cover the full amount of Arizona resident undergraduate tuition and fees.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible, students must:

• attend an in state university or community college

• be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• be an Arizona resident for tuition purposes

• verify lawful presence as described under Arizona's Proposition 300 

• be under 23 years old

• must be in foster care, adopted from foster care after age 16, or aged out of foster care

• submit a FAFSA

Receiving Arizona Foster Youth Award (tuition waiver)

• Students must first be enrolled in classes at an in state university or community college.

• The tuition waiver will only cover any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other awarded funds from federal, public and institutional grants and scholarships. 

• If the student's tuition and fees are 100% covered by the other awards, the student will NOT see an Arizona Foster Youth Award applied to their account. 

• NOTE: The only federal grant that will NOT be counted toward a student's tuition and fees prior to applying the Arizona Foster Youth Award, is the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV).

• Most students attending MCCCD will meet tuition and fees by the Pell Grant. They will not see a tuition waiver.

• The tuition waiver will disburse to the student's account a few days before classes begin.

The Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

The Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is a federally funded grant used to support foster youth who have aged out of the foster care system and who enrolled in college, university and vocational training programs. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year based on their cost of attendance. They must enroll before their 21st birthday and may continue to receive support until age 23. The funds may be used for tuition, housing, books, student loan repayments and qualified living expenses. Portal: Arizona

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• must be in foster care, adopted from foster care after age 16, or aged out of foster care

• be US citizens or qualified non-citizens

• be younger than 21 to apply for the first time

• have a high school diploma or GED

• have been accepted into or enrolled in a Title IV, accredited college or vocational/technical training program

• personal assets (bank account, car, home, etc.) must be worth less than $10,000

Receiving your Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

Once the ETV office has received all forms, they will determine a student’s need and send an award letter to qualified students. ETV will send awarded funds (up to $2,500 per semester) directly to the institutions financial aid office. The financial aid office will be responsible for posting funds to the student’s account. This transaction may post after the semester has begun. Students with questions should contact the financial aid office. Every student's financial situation is unique. In some situations, even with the Arizona Foster Youth Award and full Education and Training Voucher (ETV) funding, students may need to consider other types of financial aid.

Renewal for both Tuition Waiver and ETV

• Students must re-apply online for every new school year through the Foster Care to Success Student Portal for both the Arizona Foster Youth Award (tuition waiver) and the Arizona Education and Training Voucher (ETV). 

Portal: Arizona

• Students must remain in good academic standing and demonstrate continuous progress toward an associate's degree, baccalaureate degree or certificate to remain eligible

• Submit a FAFSA each year

• Complete at least 30 hours of volunteer service each year for the waiver

• Students are required to complete and submit a new Financial Aid Release Form each semester.

• ETV must receive the student’s official transcript, including final grades for that term, mailed directly from the registrar. Faxed, emailed or unofficial copies of transcripts/grade sheets will not be accepted.

Support

Our in-state universities and community colleges are committed to helping Arizona’s foster youth meet their educational goals and make college a financial reality. To learn more about resources for foster youth offered at each school please visit the schools website: 

ASU:   Bridging Success

First Star Program- At Arizona State University Academy, The First Star program is designed to assist foster youth in reaching their academic goals. This four-year, at-no-cost program offers various opportunities to earn college credit, including coursework, independent study, and a three-week summer program. In addition to academic support, the academy provides cultural and social activities, education advocacy, and personalized assistance through monthly Saturday Academies 

• NAU

• UA

• MCCCD

Scholarships

There are several scholarships specifically for current and former foster youth. Each one typically has it’s own application and deadline to apply. Scholarships are gift aid that do not require repayment. Some foster youth specific scholarships include:

• Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars Program(ASU)

• Nina Mason Pulliam Program Scholars (MCCCD)

• Armstrong Family Foundation Scholarship (ASU) 

• The Blavin Scholars Program(NAU)

• Fostering Futures (GCU)

• Casey Family Programs