Chafee Education and Training Vouchers Program (ETV)

To provide resources to states and eligible Indian tribes to make available vouchers for postsecondary training and education to youth who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older, who have aged out of foster care, or who have been adopted or

State governments, including the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands (hereafter "states"), Guam and American Samoa, and eligible Indian tribes, Indian tribal organizations, or Indian tribal consortia (hereafter "tribes") with an approved plan.

Youth and young adults (14 - 26) who have experienced foster care at age 14 or older, youth who leave foster care for adoption or kinship guardianship at age 16 or older, and youth who aged out of foster care. Youth otherwise eligible for the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) may receive vouchers. Eligible youth may receive vouchers up until their 26th birthday, provided they are making satisfactory progress toward completing their course of study or training, but may receive vouchers for no more than five years.

Application is made through submission of the five-year Child and Family Services Plan; updates are made annually through the Annual Progress and Services Review. Refer to the Program Instructions under Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature.

Funds may be used to provide vouchers for postsecondary education and training to youth otherwise eligible for services under the state's or tribe's Chafee program. Vouchers provided to individuals may be used for the cost of attending an institution of higher education (as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act) and shall not exceed the lesser of $5,000 per grant year for the total cost of attendance as defined in section 472 of the Higher Education Act. Participation in the program is limited to five years whether or not the years are consecutive.

Formula awards are made annually.

Applications must include the information and assurances required from the state or tribe. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adopted the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Guidance in 2 CFR part 200, and has codified the text, with HHS-specific amendments in 45 CFR Part 75. ACF recipients must follow the requirements in 45 CFR Part 75.

Applications must include the information and assurances required from the state or tribe. A 5-year state or tribal plan must be submitted with annual updates (see ACYF-CB-PI-24-02 and ACYF-CB-PI-24-03). The plan must coordinate the provision of services under the state's or tribe's Education and Training Voucher Program with services under other Federal or Federally assisted programs serving the same population. Plans are submitted to the Regional Child Welfare Program Manager in the appropriate ACF Regional Office.

States and eligible tribes who submit an approvable plan will receive funds under this program.

Funds are disbursed on a quarterly basis for up to the amount of one-fourth of the state or tribe's annual allotment.

The plan or its annual update is due June 30 of each year.

The agency plan or its annual update is due June 30 of each year, and will approved or disapproved by September 30th of each year.

There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A.