Fostering Independence Grants

Overview

The Fostering Independence Grants (FIG) help remove the financial barrier to college for Minnesota Fosters. If you were in Minnesota foster care after age 13 and are under 27, you may qualify for full coverage of your cost of attendance at a participating college or university in Minnesota.

To apply, just complete the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application and answer the foster care question. The Minnesota Department of Human Services will verify your eligibility, and your school will include the grant in your financial aid package if you qualify.

For full program details, eligibility criteria, and official forms:

Map of Participating FIG Colleges 2025

FIG Eligibility- What You Need To Know & Do Next

As the Fostering Independence Grant seeks to eliminate financial and basic needs barriers for Fosters, almost 700 Fosters were able to take advantage of FIG at a 70% retention and graduation rate during the 2023 - 2024 school year. This means that most Fosters in the state were able to stay in college and reach graduation!

Learn more about eligibility, applying, & next steps with FIG

Other Important Details Around FIG

Tips on How To Use FIG Funds

FIG is there to provide Fosters with stability in basic needs that would otherwise be a barrier to Fosters attending school. Once FIG funds are applied to your bill for the semester, shortly after you will receive the remainder of the funds as a refund. Pay attention to any emails that come through for any fees that may have not been taken care of initially or if you add an 8 week course or anything else that starts later in the semester. Fosters have missed this in the past and have had significant outstanding bills to pay after they’ve used up their funds.

Examples of How to Use FIG Funds

If you have questions about FIG, please reach out to Adam Johnson.

Are you a current or prospective student and still have questions? Reach out to our Support Programs team here at Foster Advocates (info@fosteradvocate.org)

In 2021 our Foster leaders told us that our priority at the Minnesota Legislature was to ensure Fosters have access to the same opportunities when turning 18.

We achieved that by stewarding the passage of the Fostering Higher Education Act into law. This law, among many other things, establishes the Fostering Independence Grants!

We hope the information on this page is helpful for Minnesota Fosters to keep dreaming. We will update this page as more information is finalized. See FAQ’s for FIG at the bottom of page.


Page updated as of 5/5/2025. Reach out to Minnesota Institutions of Higher Educations Adam Johnson at OHE with specific questions.

Minnesota Education Training Voucher Information

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program provides up to $5,000 per year to pay for post-secondary education at a college, university, vocational, technical, or trade school. ETV funding is a non-competitive grant based on need and availability of funds (get your FAFSA/ETV application in ASAP as funds tend to run out each year). The funds do not need to be re-paid. This program is led by Youthprise and you can visit their website for more information and application. See below for specific details on important ETV topics.


Who is eligible?

How do I apply to ETV?

Differences Between ETV vs FIG & Contact info

What can ETV funds be used for?

FAQ’s About the Fostering Independence Grant 

  • FIG is a state program for people that have been in foster care, that will provide “last-dollar” grants to attend postsecondary institutions.  Full bill language is here.

  • FIG covers the full cost of attendance. This includes:

    • Tuition and fees

    • An allowance for books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses

    • An allowance for living expenses (varies based on campus room/board or off-campus independent costs)

    Please note that these costs will be determined by your school. Many schools have their “cost of attendance” available online. Bill definition of “cost of attendance” here.

  • A “last-dollar” grant means that FIG takes into account all the funds available to a student and then pays the remainder of the bill.

    Here’s what that might look like:

    1. You fill out your FAFSA, which documents how much money you might be able to contribute (more information about this process here). For many Fosters, this number will be zero.

    2. Your school will determine your “cost of attendance.”

    3. FIG will pay the remaining bill to the college, minus money you receive (including federal and state grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, ETV, and other funds).

  • Since these grants do take into consideration your financial situation, you may need to pay some amount each year. However, with all of the aid available, you will probably receive financial assistance for housing and other expenses that would not be covered if you didn’t attend school. And most Fosters will not be expected to pay!

  • The Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant was passed in June 2021. More information will be available from the Office of Higher Education (OHE) in spring 2022, and the first awards will be disbursed in Fall 2022 for the 2022-2023 school year.

  • No! There are many different types of grants, but they typically do not need to be repaid. Be sure to review your financial aid offers in detail to make sure you understand what will be expected. There are lots of people who can help answer questions you may have about the process: your financial aid contact, a high school counselor, or us at education@fosteradvocates.org.

    The OHE contact point will be announced soon.
    See here for different types of aid.

Eligibility

  • Easiest Answer - If you are eligible for the Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV), you are eligible for FIG! The Office of Higher Education should reach out to you, based on your foster care status, if you are eligible.

    You may also be eligible if:

    • You were in Minnesota foster care after age 13

    • You are currently under age 27

    • You are a resident student in Minnesota

    • You have graduated from high school or an equivalent

    • You have submitted a FAFSA

    • You have been accepted into, or are attending, an eligible school

    • You are making satisfactory academic progress

  • Anyone eligible for ETV will be eligible for FIG. If you are eligible for ETV, there will likely be a FIG application this spring.

    If you are not eligible for ETV, you may still be eligible for FIG.

    ETV:

    • Age: In foster care after age 16

    • Expenses Covered: Based on your personal budget. Could include: tuition, fees, books, transportation, child care

    • Maximum amount: $5000 per school year

    Fostering Independence Grants:

    • Age: In foster care after age 13

    • Expenses Covered: Based on “cost of attendance.” Could include: tuition, fees, housing, miscellaneous expenses

    • Maximum amount: Varies

  • Tuition waivers allow schools to decide that, since you were in foster care, you do not need to pay tuition. Usually, these waivers do not cover the full cost of attendance (see What will the grants pay for?). Also, policies may be different from school to school. So, even if you receive a tuition waiver, you should also apply for FIG.

  • If you graduated from a Minnesota high school (or got your GED), you are probably a "resident student"! There are different ways you can qualify as a resident student, so check this website if you are unsure.

  • Unfortunately, you do need to have been in foster care in Minnesota.

  • You still qualify for FIG, even if you were adopted, reunified with family, or aged out of foster care or extended foster care!

  • Unfortunately, you cannot receive the grants if you already have a bachelor’s degree, or if you have been enrolled as a full-time student for 8 semesters. FIG is designed for those working toward their first undergraduate degree or training program.

  • If you are eligible for FIG, you should fill out the FAFSA or MN Dream Act. Right now, there is no additional application.

Financial aid

  • When you fill out the FAFSA, it helps the government, and your school, figure out what financial aid you might be eligible for. Many Fosters are eligible for grants from the government, so these will be calculated before the Fostering Independence grants.

  • Many Fosters can fill out the FAFSA as an independent student, meaning they only need their own financial information, not their parent or guardian information.

Other Details

  • You can attend any accredited 4-year, 2-year, or technical or trade school (public or private) that is eligible for state student aid in Minnesota. See a list here!

    *It is possible some private universities will opt out of the FIG program. So far, the following schools will not be participating: Hastings Beauty School

  • You can receive the grants every year for up to 5 years for a 4-year degree, or 3 years for a 2-year degree, up until your 27th birthday.

  • Part-time students will have access to FIG.

    Exact details on time limits and aid amount are still being decided, but we will update this page as we know more!

  • Yes, you can take a break for school! Work with your academic advisor and financial aid office, to make sure you will have enough time and resources to graduate.

  • As long as you meet the other eligibility requirements, you can receive grants for up to four quarters, or three semesters, during one year.

  • The funds will be sent directly to your school. They will apply the funds to any bills (tuition, fees, campus housing) and pay you the leftover money in a “disbursement” (read more about this here).

  • “Satisfactory academic progress” means you are progressing through school--getting good grades, taking enough classes, etc. General guidance is here, and your school will have more specific guidance. You will need to make “satisfactory academic progress” to continue getting financial aid.

  • Visit the Minnesota Office of Higher Education site for more information.

    Minnesota Institutions of Higher Education with questions can reach out to Adam Johnson from OHE.

    Fosters: Email us if you have other questions or want to brainstorm about college!