Education and Training Voucher Program ETV

Program info

Current and former foster youth can get up to $5,000 per school year for post-secondary education at college, university, vocational, technical or trade schools.

The Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program provides the funds. The money does not need to be paid back.

Additional information about the program, applying for college and financial aid.

Eligibility

All students applying to the ETV program must be under age 26, accepted into an accredited, Federal Pell Grant-eligible college, university, vocational, technical or trade school using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid , graduated from high school or received a GED, be eligible to receive financial aid, and at least one of the following:

• Experienced foster care for 30 consecutive days at age 17.
• Adopted from foster care at age 16 or older
• Had transfer of permanent legal and physical custody by the court from foster care at age 16 or older
• Under state or tribal guardianship, you were in foster care when turning 18, and your parent's parental rights were terminated or suspended.

If a returning ETV student, you must be making progress in completing your education.

Benefits

You can get up to $5,000 per school year for:

• Tuition and fees
• Books
• Housing
• Child care
• Transportation
• Other school-related costs
• Living expenses.

You can use ETV funds for five years of post-secondary education.

You must attend an orientation before you can use your ETV money. Details about orientation will be in your ETV award letter.

Apply

If you apply to a Fostering Independence Grant Participating College or University and answer yes on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the question have you been in foster care at age 13 or older, you are automatically considered for ETV. No application is needed.

If you apply to a school that is not a Fostering Independence Grant Participating College or University, you must submit an ETV application to be considered for an ETV award. Submit an ETV application between July 1 and April 1 each year you need money for school. Attach the following to the online application:

After awarded ETV funds, all first time ETV students must attend an orientation session to meet ETV staff and find out how to use their funds. Information on orientation sessions will be included in your award letter.

If you have questions contact the Minnesota Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program coordinator, Paul Minehart at 651-431-6059 or email the Minnesota ETV coordinator.

Your post-secondary school may want to verify your foster care placement or guardianship status to establish eligibility for independent status. Form DHS-5705-ENG (Minnesota foster care placement verification for post-secondary schools form) is for county or tribal social services and other agency staff to verify foster care placement, or guardianship status. This form is not needed to apply for ETV funds.