Postsecondary Education for Foster Care

Contact Information

OSPI Foster Care

360-725-6505

Stacey Klim

Foster Care Program Supervisor
564-999-1939

Savanna Cavalletto

Foster Care Program Specialist
564-669-1467

Students who have experienced foster care may qualify for programs that help them continue their education after high school. These programs are offered through state and federal resources.

  • If a student was in foster care at any time after turning 13, the student will be considered “independent” and will qualify for a number of financial resources.  
  • If a student turns 18 while in foster care, they may qualify for additional support and financial assistance to help you transition to college, training, or employment.

See the Best Practices: Foster Care and Higher Education guide for more information.

Find Guides, Tools, and Financial Aid Information

Find guides, support, and financial aid information to help students who have been in foster care prepare for college or career training.

Information and Guidance

For more information on helping students who have been in foster care get ready for college or career training, visit:

You can also visit the Post-Secondary Resources document to find:

  • Organizations that support foster youth
  • Scholarships and grants
  • Financial aid programs
FAFSA Application

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the application students complete to apply for grants, scholarships, work study programs, and loans to help pay for college or career training.

Federal law includes policies that make it easier for students who have experienced foster care or unaccompanied homelessness to access financial aid. These changes were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

FAFSA Question – Student Personal Circumstances

The 2025–26 FAFSA includes questions about a student’s personal circumstances. One of these questions asks:

  • “At any time since you turned 13, were you in foster care or a ward of the court?”

If you are unsure how to answer this question, review the Tips for Completing the FAFSA resource.

Verifying Foster Care Status

If you are unsure about your foster care status:

  • Contact your DCYF Regional Education Lead for assistance.
  • Ask them to complete a “Dependent/Ward of the Court Verification Letter.”
  • Print and keep several copies of this letter. Your college or university may request it to confirm your foster care status.

Additional Resources

Understanding the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Determining Student Independent Status
Educational Training Vouchers (ETV)

The Educational Training Vouchers (ETV) Program provides financial help for youth who are likely to age out of the foster care system. ETV can help pay for college, vocational, or technical school at accredited institutions.

Students may receive up to $5,000 per year for qualified school-related expenses. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Qualifications

Foster Care Youth may qualify for ETV if they meet any one of the following: 

  • They are 15 or older, in a dependency through a Washington state or tribal court and are in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or a tribal child welfare agency. They may also qualify if they were in foster care in another state.
  • They are 18 through 20 years old and left foster care at age 18 when they became a legal adult.
  • They are 15 through 20 years old and left Washington state or tribal foster care at age 15 or older to live with adoptive parents or entered a relative guardianship placement.
  • They received ETV money before they turned 21. If so, they can continue receiving ETV until they turn 26, or up to 20 quarters or 15 semesters.
Dual Credit / Running Start Students

Students enrolled in an eligible Dual Credit or Running Start program may receive up to $2,000 per academic year. To confirm if your program is eligible, contact the ETV Program.

For more information explore these resources:

Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC)

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is a cabinet-level state agency that works to increase educational opportunities and success for students across Washington. Learn more about the programs WSAC offers specifically for students who have experienced foster care, including Plan Your Future, Passport to Careers, and the Supplemental Education Transition Planning Program (SETuP) below. 

College Toolkit

College Toolkit is an online resource that helps students and families understand how to plan for college in Washington State. Its goal is to make the process easier by providing clear information and support.
In the College Toolkit, you can find:

Plan Your Future

Plan Your Future is a website that provides resources to students to plan for life after high school. Key ways students can prepare include:

Passport to Careers

Passport to Careers provides former foster youth with additional financial assistance beyond state, federal, private, and institutional aid. The program has three main components administered by WSAC:

  • Student Scholarship – Financial support for eligible students
  • Campus Incentive Funding – Supports recruitment and retention services for students on campus
  • Partnership with College Success Foundation – Provides student support and training for campus staff to help students succeed
Supplemental Education Transition Planning Program (SETuP)

The Supplemental Education Transition Planning Program (SETuP) providers assist students with:

  • Financial aid application support
  • Transportation and housing information and assistance
  • College application coaching and guidance
  • Pre-college testing support based on educational goals
  • Course planning to achieve academic objectives
  • Links to programs and services for youth ages 14–21 in foster care
  • Resource links to programs and services especially for youth ages 14-21 in foster care.

Graduation Preparation

Graduation Preparation helps students in foster care plan for their future after high school. Whether they want to go to college, start a job, or get training, these tools can help them explore their options and make a plan that fits their goals. Review the programs below for more information. 

High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP)

 The High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) is a Washington State graduation requirement. Starting in 7th grade, students use the HSBP to:

  • Explore career and college options.
  • Set goals for high school and after graduation.
  • Connect what they learn in school to future jobs.
  • Students update their plan each year as their interests and goals change.
Career Bridge

Career Bridge is Washington's one-stop source for career and education planning.

Use Career Bridge to:

  • Explore Careers: Take a quiz to see how your interests and skills match different careers.
  • View Job Trends: Learn which jobs are growing and what they pay.
  • Find Education Programs: Search nearly 6,000 programs across Washington. See program locations, costs, job outcomes, and average earnings.

Career Bridge also shows:

  • Typical wages and job outlook for each career.
  • High-demand or “hot” jobs in Washington.
  • The skills and training you’ll need.
  • Options to help pay for school or training.

You can also download a fillable Career Bridge Guide. 

College & Career Knowledge Guide 

The College & Career Knowledge Guide helps students plan for life after high school. It includes information and tools to support education and training options such as college, apprenticeships, or technical programs.