Foster Youth

Our general eligibility requirements include that you have financial need, are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at your college or career school. There are more eligibility requirements you must meet to qualify for federal student aid. 

Apply online using the FAFSA APPLICATION

Tips: 

• Write down your FSA ID and Password and keep them somewhere safe. 
• Have your Social Security Card with you. Enter your name as it appears on your Social Security Card. 
• Have any income information and/or tax information, such as W-2s and/or 1040 Income  Tax Return.  
• Answer all questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge.
  

Not a US Citizen or Permanent resident? Want to apply for financial aid, but cannot apply for federal aid due to your immigration status? Have you attended a California High School for three full years and graduated from a California High School or received your GED or passed the high school equivalency exam in California? You may be eligible for state financial aid under the California Dream Act.  

Apply online using the CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT Application 

Until the passage of the Dream Act, undocumented students were not eligible for federal, state or university funded financial aid. Under this new law, undocumented students who qualify under AB 540 criteria may now be eligible for certain types of financial aid. The California Dream Act Application is used to determine a student’s eligibility for need-based financial aid. 

Tips: 

• Write down your USER ID, Password, and your SECURITY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS and keep them somewhere safe. 
• Enter your full name as it may appear on any legal documents. 
• Have any income and/or tax information on hand, such as W-2s and/or 1040 Income Tax Return. 
• Answer all questions truthfully and to the best of your knowledge. 

If you are or were in foster care, have financial need and are under 27 years old, you may qualify for up to $5,000 a year for career and technical training or college. You don’t have to pay this money back. You may also be able to use your grant to help pay for child care, transportation and rent while you’re in school. You can use your Chafee Grant at any eligible California college or university or career or technical school, as well as schools in other states. 

For further information about the California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth and to apply online visit Chafee Grant. 

Tips: 

• Be sure to list the college/university at which you’ll be attending. 
• Always keep your information updated with the California Student Aid Commission.

The WebGrants 4 Students (WG4S) portal is to provide students with the resources, information and tools needed to assist with the college financial aid process. (WG4S) will allow you to manage your Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online by letting you view updates, make school changes, make address changes, and post leave of absence requests. Note: your WGS account does not replace your School or FAFSA accounts. Each account must be monitored and managed independently. 

Tips: 

• Write down your USER ID and Password and keep them somewhere safe. 
• Make sure to update your information on Webgrants if you move or get a new phone number.