Education and Training Voucher (ETV)

Alabama Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program is federally-funded, state-administered program designed to help youth who were in foster care.  Students may receive up to $5000 a year for qualified school related expenses. (few examples - tuition and fees for non-public Alabama schools, housing, textbooks, living expenses, transportation, childcare, laptops/computers)  Funding is limited and available on a first-come basis to eligible students.  Applicants must complete the funding application process each year which includes documentation each semester that is sent directly from the school to our funding vendor (WAF) confirming enrollment, the cost of attendance and unmet needs.  ETV funding may be sent to the school or student.

 

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

·        Youth must be a current or former foster student who:

o   Was in Foster care on their 18th birthday OR

o   Was adopted from foster care with the adoption finalized AFTER their 16th birthday OR

o   Was granted Kinship Guardianship from Alabama foster care AFTER their 16th birthday.

·        Youth must be a US citizen or qualified non-citizen.

·        Youth personal assets (bank account, car, home, etc.) are worth less than $10,000.

·        Youth must be at least 17 but younger than 21 to apply for the first time.  They may reapply for ETV funds, if you have a current grant by 21, for up to 5 consecutive years.

·        Youth must have be accepted into or be enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school.  To remain eligible for ETV funding, youth must show progress toward a degree or certification.

·        Youth receiving Fostering Hope are not eligible to take out student loans in order to be eligible for ETV funding.