Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program

This federally funded program offers grants to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an eligible postsecondary institution.

PHEAA administers the Chafee ETG Program on behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services as authorized under the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and amended by the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001 and the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017.

You must complete the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) to qualify for this program. After completing the FAFSA, you will receive an email from PHEAA inviting you to activate your PA State Grant System account and complete the PA State Grant application items to see if you qualify for an additional award.

Am I Eligible?

To be considered for this grant, you must:

  • File a 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)
  • Be a Pennsylvania resident
  • Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania's John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
  • Be identified as a youth who has experienced foster care at age 16 or older or, after attaining 16 years of age, exited foster care to adoption or permanent legal custodianship
  • Have not reached the age of 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year for which Chafee ETG is received
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half-time in a college or career school that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs
  • Demonstrate financial need for the grant (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on other Title IV aid
  • Have not received Chafee ETG for 5 years (consecutive or not), defined as 10 semesters or the equivalent, for undergraduate study
  • Have graduated from high school or have received a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma

How Much Can I Expect to Receive?

For the 2024-25 year the maximum award is $5,000. No award may exceed your cost of attendance minus any other financial aid you receive. Please note that the maximum award amount is subject to change due to Federal Grant levels.

How Do I Apply?

For the 2024-25 academic year, the deadline is March 31, 2025.

  1. Complete the FAFSA.
  2. Download and complete the Chafee ETG Program Application for the applicable year.
  3. Mail your completed application to:

    PHEAA
    PA State Grant and Special Programs
    P.O. Box 8157
    Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

    Fax: 717-720-3786

How do I Renew?

You must complete a renewal FAFSA at StudentAid.gov/FAFSA. Students who received a grant during the 2023-24 academic year through the Chafee ETG Program do not need to complete an application for 2024-25. Students who received a grant during the 2023-24 academic year and transferred to a different institution for the 2024-25 academic year should notify PHEAA via email to paetg@pheaa.org or by calling 1-800-692-7392.

PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program

When you apply for the Chafee ETG Program, you will be evaluated to determine if you also qualify for the FosterEd Program. Applicants for the 2024-25 FosterEd waiver (including consideration for the 2025 Summer) should submit the 2024-25 Chafee ETG Application by May 1, 2025.