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    California Chafee Grant for Foster Youth (Chafee Grant)

    California Student Aid Commission · Foundation program

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Apply on the official site (opens the official site in a new tab)

    Award

    Up to $5,000

    Up to $5,000 a year

    Deadline

    See the official page for current dates.

    Checked against the official page on Nov 6, 2026.

    About this scholarship

    This grant program provides financial assistance to current or former foster youth to help cover the cost of attending college or career training. Eligible students can use this funding at any qualifying college, university, or technical school in California, as well as eligible institutions in other states. To qualify, applicants must meet specific age requirements regarding their time in foster care or tribal out-of-home placement and must be under a designated age limit at the start of the award year. The program aims to reduce financial barriers and support academic success for youth transitioning from the foster care system.

    Who can apply

    • Undergraduate
    • College 1st year or College 2nd year or College 3rd year or College 4th year
    • Shows financial need on the FAFSA or state aid application
    • U.S. citizen or Eligible noncitizen or DACA or state Dream Act student
    • Usable at: 2-year college, 4-year college, technical or trade school, public college, private college
    • Must be a current or former foster youth who was a dependent or ward of the court, living in out-of-home foster care placement, between the ages of 16 and 18; or placed in out-of-home care by a tribe or tribal organization between those ages. Must not have reached 26th birthday as of July 1st of the award year.

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    Award details

    Amount
    Up to $5,000
    Number of awards
    Not stated
    Renewable
    One-time or not stated
    Merit-based
    No
    Need-based
    Yes
    Essay required
    Not stated

    Key dates

    1. Applications open

      Open now or not stated

    2. Deadline

      See the official page for current dates.

    3. Winners notified

      Not stated

    As published: See the official page for current dates.

    How to apply

    1. Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application along with the California Chafee Grant application.
    Go to the official page (opens the official site in a new tab)

    Provider and source

    Provider
    California Student Aid Commission
    Last verified
    Nov 6, 2026

    Facts on this page come from the official page and the provider's website. The description is written by CollegesRef. Providers can change amounts and dates; the official page always wins.

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