Brighter Star (Wisconsin Education and Training Voucher)
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
Up to $5,000 a year toward college, career or training costs for current and former Wisconsin foster youth, until age 23.
- How much
- up to $5,000 per academic year
- Who qualifies
- Current or former foster youth (Wisconsin out-of-home care), or adopted/guardianship at 16+ after out-of-home care
- Ages roughly 17.5-23; up to five academic years; satisfactory progress; FAFSA planned as part of the independent living plan.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students, transfer students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No statewide deadline; apply through your regional Transition Resource Agency.
- How to apply
- Contact the Brighter Star point of contact (Transition Resource Agency) for the county where you were in care
- Each regional agency has its own application
- You'll need proof of enrollment
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dcf.wisconsin.gov) and page 2
The details
Wisconsin's Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program, federally funded and distributed by the state. Up to $5,000 per academic year (not exceeding cost of attendance, based on available funds) for: youth 17.5+ likely to stay in court-ordered out-of-home care until 18; youth adopted or placed in certain guardianships at 16+ after out-of-home care; and 18-23-year-olds who aged out of foster care. Usable up to age 23 or five academic years, whichever comes first, including graduate degrees, at accredited or pre-accredited programs in or out of state. Tier 1 expenses (tuition, books and supplies, etc.) first, then Tier 2 items. Requires an education focus in the youth's independent living plan and satisfactory progress.
More money from Wisconsin
- Contract for Dental Education$8,753 tuition subsidy per year
- Wisconsin Grant - Private Non-Profit (WG-PNP)up to $4,850 per year (2026-27, full-time)
- Wisconsin Grant - University of Wisconsin (WG-UW)up to $3,700 per year (2026-27, full-time)
- Wisconsin Grant - Tribal Colleges (WG-TR)up to $2,450 per year (2026-27, full-time)
- Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES)$2,250 per year toward tuition
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota
- 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.