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If you were in Minnesota foster care, college may be free for you.
Since fall 2022, Minnesota has offered the Fostering Independence Grant. If you are a Minnesota resident student under age 27 and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after your thirteenth birthday, this grant may cover the cost of attendance at any eligible Minnesota public or participating private college and university. That can mean tuition and living expenses, not just tuition. mnMartin Luther College
Applying is simpler than most people think. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or the Minnesota Dream Act application. After you complete it, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families will confirm your initial eligibility. A few things to know: you need to reapply every year, the grants are not available at out-of-state schools, and students who apply by the priority deadline are considered first. The grant can help for up to five years. www.myhighered.mn.gov +3
Minnesota also offers Education Vouchers for Former Youth in Care, federal funds made available to states through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act.
More help in Minnesota
Foster Adopt Minnesota runs the HELP Program, a warmline for Minnesota’s adoption, foster care, and kinship communities, and can help families find vetted therapists who work with adoptive, foster and kinship families. Fosteradoptmn
Families Rising Minnesota offers free support to adoptive, foster, and kinship families, including one-on-one parenting support, support groups, peer support, education support, and youth programming. Families Rising
The STAY Program teaches independent living skills to current or former foster youth ages 14 up to 23 who are working with a county or tribal worker. Minnesota DCYF
Youth who leave foster care after they turn 18 can get free health insurance in Minnesota until age 26 through Medical Assistance, including youth who moved here from another state.
Help across the country
FosterClub is a community for real connection, support, and motivation for young people who are going through or have been through foster care. FosterClub
The National Foster Parent Association strengthens foster, kinship, and adoptive families through education, advocacy, and meaningful connections, and offers free training online. nfpaonline
Foster Care to Success gives college scholarships to young people from foster care. All their scholarships share one application, and they determine which programs you qualify for. formedfamiliesforward
🎓 Federal Programs That Help Foster Youth Pay for College
1. Chafee Education & Training Voucher (ETV) — up to $5,000/year
The most direct federal college funding for foster youth. Provides up to $5,000 per year for tuition, books, housing, transportation, and other education costs. Eligibility generally covers youth who were in foster care at age 16+, with funding available up to age 26.
2. FAFSA Independent Student Status
If you were in foster care at any time after age 13, you are automatically considered an independent student on the FAFSA. This means:
- No parent income required
- Maximum Pell Grant eligibility (Pell max is $7,395 for 2025–26)
- Access to federal SEOG grants, Work‑Study, and federal loans
This status alone dramatically increases federal aid.
3. Pell Grants
Need‑based federal grants that do not need to be repaid. Most foster youth qualify for the maximum award because their FAFSA shows low or no income.
4. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Additional federal grant money for students with exceptional financial need. Often awarded automatically once FAFSA is filed.
5. Federal Work‑Study
Provides part‑time campus jobs to help cover living expenses.
6. Former Foster Youth Medicaid to Age 26
Not a college grant — but full Medicaid coverage until age 26 reduces financial pressure and helps students stay enrolled.
🏛️ So is college “free”?
Not automatically. But foster youth can often cover all tuition and most living costs by stacking:
- Pell Grant
- Chafee ETV ($5,000/year)
- State tuition waivers (offered in many states)
- Campus scholarships for foster youth
- Work‑Study
- Private scholarships (e.g., Foster Care to Success)
Many states — including Minnesota — offer tuition waivers that make public college tuition free after federal aid is applied. (This is state, not federal.)
From KARA
Why Every State Needs a Foster Led Child Welfare Promise
Minnesota’s own Foster Advocates (and what they’ve accomplished)
All Adults Are the Protectors of All Children, our 30-second public service announcement. Thank you, Don Shelby.
Did we miss something?
Know of another free or valuable program for Minnesota’s fostered and adopted youth? Send it to info@invisiblechildren.org with Foster in the subject line and we’ll add it.
Share this. Know a foster parent, a grandparent raising grandkids, or a young person who grew up in care? Send them this post. Most people who qualify for these programs never hear about them.
#FreeCollege #FosterCare #FosterYouth #KinshipCare #Scholarship #KARA #KidsAtRisk #Minnesota
