Thank you for asking this question and for being an advocate!!
We recognize that high school graduation season is closely approaching, and many are assessing if now is the time to explore their options. It is important that Post-Secondary Education Assistance information is shared with everyone that is connected to a youth or young adult who may be eligible to receive these services.
Many young people with foster care experience want to continue their education and achieve their educational goals. However, they may face more barriers than their same-age peers due to the enrollment process and navigating the housing and financial aid processes.
In North Carolina, eligible youth and young adults who experienced foster care, received their high school diploma or general educational development (GED) diploma, and have not reached their 26th birthday, have financial assistance available to them for their secondary education goals.
Everyone’s path and goals are different, so the funding available for eligible youth and young adults is for students pursuing an undergraduate degree, diploma or certificate at an approved institution as a full-time or half-time student. The Education and Training Voucher (ETV), and the NC Reach state educational award monitored by North Carolina Division of Social Services are administered through the Foster Care to Success Agency.
Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) – The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program is a federally-funded, state-administered program designed to help youth who were in foster care pursue post-secondary and vocational education. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible students.
Eligibility Requirements:
Must be a current or former foster student who was:
- In U.S. foster care on or after your 17th birthday; or
- Adopted from U.S. foster care with the adoption finalized AFTER your 16th birthday; or
- Entered into a kinship guardianship placement from foster care on or after your 16th birthday.
- You much be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen.
- You must be at least 18 to apply.
In North Carolina, if a young person is starting a post-secondary program before their 18th birthday, they can apply for approval at the age of 17.
The maximum number of years a student can receive ETV Funding is five years (consecutive or intermittent).
You must have been accepted into or be enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical or vocational school. To remain eligible for ETV funding, you must show progress toward a degree or certificate.
NC Reach – NC Reach is a state-funded and state-administered scholarship designed to help youth who were in foster care in North Carolina pursue post-secondary education. NC Reach is offered to eligible students for up to four years of undergraduate study at a North Carolina public college or university. For more information visit https://www.ncreach.org/.
NC Reach Eligibility Requirements:
You must be a current or former foster student who was:
- A legal resident of North Carolina, eligible for in-state tuition rates
- Must be 18 years old to apply (if the young person is 17 years old when they start a post-secondary program they must wait until they are 18 to apply)
- Adopted from NC Division of Social Services (DSS) foster care after the age of 12, OR, aged out of DSS foster care at the age of 18 (they must have been in care on their 18th birthday); or
- Exited from foster care at the age of 14 to a permanent home through guardianship with the support of the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP)
- Enrolled in one of North Carolina’s public community colleges, public colleges, or public universities.
- Under the age of 26 (participants remain eligible until their 26th birthday)
To learn more, visit: https://www.fc2sprograms.org/north-carolina/ and https://www.cfnc.org/.
