The Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee)

The Chafee program is a partnership between PHEAA and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), which is authorized under the Foster Care Independence Act 1999 as amended by the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Amendments of 2001.  The Chafee Program offers grant assistance to Pennsylvania undergraduate students aging out of foster care who are attending an approved Federal Title IV postsecondary institution.

Grant Information:

https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/chafee-program.shtml

Eligibility

Complete a Chafee Application (available on PHEAA.org). The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will then forward the completed application to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) for verification that the student was in a foster care program based on the following guidelines:

  • The youth was eligible for services under the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program,
  • The youth was in foster care or was discharged or adopted from foster care after attaining age 16,
  • The youth is a new applicant participating in the Chafee Program on or prior to their 21st birthday, or
  • The youth is a renewal applicant who has not reached their 23rd birthday by July 1 of the upcoming academic year in which Chafee funds will be awarded.

Additional requirements:

  • File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the academic year
  • Attend an eligible Federal Title IV postsecondary institution.
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate on at least a half-time basis.
  • Be enrolled in an approved Federal Title IV certificate, diploma, or degree (associate or bachelor’s degree) program
  • Have “unmet cost” as determined by the postsecondary institution.
  • Maintain Federal Title IV academic progress guidelines.
  • Must not be in default
  • Must be a Pennsylvania resident

Awards will be given on a first-come first-served basis.

Minimum and Maximum Awards

Maximum award of $5,000 for the academic year with the minimum award of $500.

There is no summer Chafee Grant program.