Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant (FIG)
Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE)
Grants up to the full cost of attendance (after other aid) for students under 27 who were in Minnesota foster care at age 13 or older.
- How much
- Up to the cost of attendance minus SAI and other grants (remaining need)
- Who qualifies
- Current or former Minnesota foster youth (in foster care, adopted from foster care, or placed with a permanent legal custodian at age 13+), or eligible for the Education and Training Voucher
- Under age 27 before Sept 1 of the award year; HS diploma or equivalent; admitted to an eligible Minnesota institution; satisfactory academic progress; not in loan default; Minnesota resident student unless ETV-eligible. Kinship placements by family arrangement only do not count.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, or undocumented student eligible under the Minnesota Dream Act
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA/MN Dream Act driven; no separate deadline published.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA (or Minnesota Dream Act application) and answer yes to the question about being in foster care at any time since age 13
- OHE confirms eligibility with the Department of Children, Youth, and Families
- Your college then calculates the grant
- Answer the foster care question every year
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (ohe.mn.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
For current and former Minnesota foster youth: covers remaining need up to the recognized cost of attendance after the student's SAI, Pell, State Grant and other aid (private colleges are capped at the highest public cost of attendance). Up to five years of grants. Students qualify if they are eligible for the Education and Training Voucher, or if they were in Minnesota foster care, adopted from foster care, or placed with a permanent legal custodian from foster care at age 13 or older. Must be under 27 before September 1 of the award year. All University of Minnesota and Minnesota State campuses participate; private colleges participate unless they opt out each year. A funding shortfall in 2026 led the Legislature to add one-time money ($570,000 for summer 2026 and $1.5 million for 2026-27).
More money from Minnesota
- Minnesota Student Teacher Grants (Shortage Areas and Underrepresented Student Teachers)Up to $7,500 (one-time, for the student teaching term)
- Minnesota State GrantVaries by need and cost; formula uses up to $18,071 (4-year) or $7,340 (2-year) tuition and fees plus a $12,690 living allowance (2026-27), minus family share and Pell
- North Star PromiseUp to 100% of remaining tuition and mandatory fees (last-dollar, no fixed cap)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin
- 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.