Attention Students and Families: Join us on December 5th or 12th, 2024 at 6:00 pm to learn about the 2025-26 FAFSA, financial aid process, and available aid, from financial aid professionals representing local colleges. Register now at bit.ly/finaid512.
Every student deserves the chance to level up their education. While navigating the postsecondary education preparation process as a student in the foster care system may be difficult, there are programs and resources to support you!
When you join Great Expectations, you are paired with an adult coach at one of 21 Community Colleges throughout the state. You and your coach work together to assess your skills and interests, talk about your future and make a plan for enrolling in college. Coaches are there to help you every step of the way with everything from filling out applications to covering your expenses to arranging transportation between school, home and work.
Great Expectations is available at 23 Virginia Community Colleges located throughout the Commonwealth. Find a program today!
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program assists teens and young adults who are in foster care or were formerly in foster care with postsecondary education and training expenses.
Current funding includes up to $5,000 per year or the total cost of attendance per year (whichever is less), per eligible student. ETV funds can be combined with other grants or scholarships to minimize or eliminate the need for student loans.
Completed applications should be submitted to the local department of social services where the student is, or most recently was, in foster care or Fostering Futures. Applicants may apply for tuition and fees for the entire academic year; equal disbursements will be made for each term (e.g. semester, quarter, trimester, etc.) Click here for the ETV Application.
For additional assistance, contact the Virginia Department of Social Services by phone at (804) 837-5951, email va.ilp@dss.virginia.gov or your local department of social services.