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REACH · The Survival Kit

On your own, not alone.For foster youth and independent students.

If you grew up in foster care, or you can't get a parent's information, there is money and help built for you. Most students in your place never hear about it. Here it is.

You may be independent on the FAFSA

Independent means the FAFSA counts only your money, not a parent’s. You answer yes to the FAFSA’s questions if, for example:

  1. You were in foster care at any time since you turned 13. Even for a short time.
  2. You were a dependent or ward of the court at any time since you turned 13.
  3. You were an emancipated minor or in a legal guardianship decided by a court in your state.
  4. You were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or at risk of being homeless. A high school or college homeless liaison, a shelter director or your financial aid office can confirm it.

None of these fit, but you truly can’t get a parent’s information (abuse, abandonment, a parent who is incarcerated or can’t be found)? The FAFSA lets you say you have unusual circumstances, and your school’s financial aid administrator can make a dependency override. Use the letter below.

A parent who just won’t help or won’t pay is usually not enough for an override, but ask anyway: the financial aid office decides. More at StudentAid.gov.

Money and care built for foster youth

Chafee Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)

Up to $5,000 a year for college or job training for students who were in foster care, on top of your other aid. Each state runs its own ETV program with its own application and deadlines, so check your state’s ETV program, or ask your caseworker or independent living coordinator. Start at childwelfare.gov.

State tuition waivers

Many states waive tuition at public colleges for students who were in foster care. The rules (age, how long you were in care, which schools) are different in each state. Search for your state’s child welfare agency and “tuition waiver foster youth”, or ask your financial aid office directly.

Health coverage to 26

If you were in foster care when you turned 18 and had Medicaid then, you can generally keep Medicaid until 26, much like young people who stay on a parent’s plan. Ask your state Medicaid office or healthcare.gov.

A person on campus

Many colleges have a foster youth liaison or a campus program for students from foster care (sometimes with housing over breaks, a mentor and emergency help). Ask financial aid or the dean of students: “Who helps students who were in foster care?”

Ask for a dependency override

For students who can’t give a parent’s information. You never have to tell more than you want to; “unusual circumstances” is enough to start the conversation.

What’s true for you

Who could write a letter for you

Subject: Request for a dependency override, this award year

Dear Financial Aid Office, My name is [Your name], and I'm a student at [Your school]. I'm writing to ask for a dependency override so I can be considered an independent student for this award year. I can't provide my parents' information on the FAFSA because of unusual circumstances. Could you tell me what documents you need, who can write a letter on my behalf, and your deadline? I want to finish my financial aid as soon as possible. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, [Your name]
Open in my email
  1. File the FAFSA anyway. Say you have unusual circumstances; don’t leave it unfinished.
  2. Send this letter the same week and ask your letter writers to write on letterhead with their phone number.
  3. Ask whether it carries over. At the same school an approved override generally carries over to later years unless your situation changes, but confirm it, and ask again if you transfer.

General information, not legal advice. Nothing is sent from this page; what you type stays in this browser. Need money right now? See the Survival Kit and ask National for help.