FOSTER CARE
Foster care is for children who can’t live safely at home, and an appropriate non-custodial parent, relative, or close family friend is currently unable or unwilling to care for them, and the court gives temporary legal possession to CPS.
EDUCATION & TRAINING VOUCHER (ETV) PROGRAM
The ETV program is a helpful resource for eligible youth and young adults who are or were in the conservatorship of DFPS. This program offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 a year for attending college or vocational programs. The amount of funds ETV provides is based on the student’s cost of attendance, which the school determines after all other financial aid assistance has been considered. It’s important to note that students can only receive ETV funds for up to five years, even if they are not consecutive.
TEXAS TUITION WAIVER
You qualify for the tuition and fee waiver if you were in DFPS conservatorship:
The day before your 18th birthday.
The day of your 14th birthday, if you are also eligible for adoption on or after that day.
The day you graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
The day you were adopted, if that date was on or after September 1, 2009.
The day Permanent Managing Conservatorship was granted to a non-parent, if that date was on or after September 1, 2009.
You were 14 years or older on or after June 1, 2016, and left DFPS’s Permanent Managing Conservatorship to return to a parent’s legal responsibility.
You were 16 years or older on or after June 1, 2016, and left DFPS Temporary Managing Conservatorship to a parent’s legal responsibility.
You enrolled in a dual credit course or other courses in which a high-school student may earn joint high school and college credit and were in DFPS conservatorship on the day of enrollment.
There are several scholarships for foster youth, with a few examples including:
Transition Resources
The John H. Chafee Foster Care for Successful Transition to Adulthood (the Chaffee Program) provides funding to assist youth in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care with services and financial assistance to promote their transition to adulthood. Grants are offered to States and Tribes that submit a plan to assist youth in various areas designed to support a successful transition to adulthood. Activities and programs include, but are not limited to, help with education, employment, financial management, housing, emotional support, and assured connections to caring adults for older youth in foster care.
Knowing plenty of resources are out there to help foster care students transition successfully into adulthood is important. By connecting students and caregivers with these benefits, they can take full advantage of the available programs and services. Foster Care Liaisons from your local education agency can play a critical role in helping students link up with Higher Education Foster Care Liaisons, ultimately encouraging a successful transition from high school to college. While this section provides a brief overview of the support and services available, it’s always a good idea to contact your DFPS regional office and local service providers for more information.
The CCMR items start on page 137.
Preparation for Adult Living PAL Program provides services and benefits to youth and young adults ages 16 – 21, teaching them how to transition to a successful adulthood. In some cases, PAL supports youth ages 15 – 16 when funding is available, and ETV is available to young adults up to age 23.
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Program Resources
Legal Help
The Texas Foster Youth Justice Project helps current and former foster youth in Texas. We help foster youth understand their legal rights. We provide legal advice, assistance, guidance, and representation in enforcing foster youth rights. We also educate the general public about foster youth’s legal needs and concerns.