CFSA Education and Training Voucher (ETV) for Youth in Foster Care
DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA), Older Youth Empowerment
Up to $5,000 a year toward college or career training for young people in or formerly in DC foster care.
- How much
- Up to $5,000 per year (subject to available funds)
- Who qualifies
- Youth in DC (CFSA) foster care at 15 or older, or adopted/placed in legal guardianship from DC foster care at 16 or older
- Per CFSA's 2018 policy: age 18-20 when applying and not yet 23; high school diploma or equivalent; enrolled in college or career/technical training; started before 21 (or six months before aging out); satisfactory academic progress (at least a 2.0 GPA).
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- US citizen or legal resident
- When to apply
- Apply any time Rolling, through CFSA's Older Youth Empowerment office; subject to available funds.
- How to apply
- Work with your CFSA social worker and the Older Youth Empowerment office (3350 9th St NE
- 202-727-7500) to apply
- You must also file the FAFSA with your college or training program
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (cfsa.dc.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
CFSA's Older Youth Empowerment (OYE) office gives limited tuition assistance, up to $5,000 per year and subject to available funds, through the federal Chafee Education and Training Voucher program, which CFSA runs for DC. OYE also offers college and career preparation (counseling, college visits, help with applications and financial aid) and limited help with testing, enrollment and graduation fees. Usable for college or career/technical training, full- or part-time.
More money from District of Columbia
- DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG)Up to $15,000 per year at public colleges ($75,000 lifetime); up to $3,750 per year at eligible private colleges ($18,750 lifetime) (2026-27)
- Mayor's Scholars Undergraduate ProgramUp to $4,000 per year (lifetime cap $16,000 for an associate degree, $24,000 for a bachelor's) (2026-27)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Maryland, Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.