College Resources for Youth in Foster Care

Information Provided By: Brandi MacArthur

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program awards youth from foster care funding for college tuition and educational related living expenses.  Full-time students will be eligible for up to $2,000 per semester and part-time students will be eligible for up to $1,000 per semester, with a youth not to exceed $4,000 in a fiscal year. For any questions regarding ETV or help with applying, call Lutheran Social Services of Michigan – Jackson, 877‑660‑6388 or visit their website at https://mietv.samaritas.org/.

Students may also be eligible to receive college funding from the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP). Youth are eligible for TIP funding if they had Medicaid for 24 out of 36 consecutive months as of the 12th birthday or after. Youth must be registered for TIP prior to graduation. Workers, youth, or foster parents can contact the TIP office at 1-888-4-GRANTS.

Students should be encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as Jan. 1 of their senior year. This ensures the maximum amount of financial aid is awarded. DHS case workers or monitors should complete a DHS-945, Verification of Foster Care Status, to give to youth they are working with who are completing the FAFSA. This verification proves a youth was in foster care after their 13th birthday. This allows him or her to file the FAFSA as an “independent student,” which leads to a maximum financial aid award package.

Seven Michigan Post-secondary colleges are now offering youth foster care students access to Living Skill Coaches who are located right on the college campus. Coaches work with students in all areas of independent living skills, including but not limited to education, employment, housing, budgeting and financial management, daily living, appropriate relationship building, medical and mental health, finding community resources and funding, and parenting.

Baker College of Flint – Youth In Transition – Deb This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Eastern Michigan University – MAGIC – Joi This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ferris State University – Ferris Youth Initiative – Janette  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Michigan State University – FAME Program – Andrea This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Saginaw Valley State University – FAST Program – Michael  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
University of Michigan –Flint - M-Powering my Success – Cindy This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Wayne State University – TIP Program – Danita This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.