Education and Training Voucher

Apply for the Education and Training Voucher (ETV)! 


The ETV program provides financial assistance to help youth in foster care pay for training or education beyond high school. A youth is eligible until his/her 21st birthday as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. If the youth participated in the program before his/her 21st birthday, they continue to be eligible until age 23 as long as they receive and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average (GPA).

To be eligible for the Education and Training Voucher program, the student must:

• Have been in foster care on or after his/her 14th birthday because of abuse or neglect and if they have been adopted from foster care on or after his/her 16th birthday;

• Have a high school diploma or GED; and

• Be enrolled at an accredited school that:

Awards a bachelor's degree or not less than a two-year program that provides credit towards a degree, Provides no less than one-year of training towards gainful employment, or Is a vocational program that provides training for gainful employment and has been in existence for at least two years.

Students applying for the ETV must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students will receive a letter notifying them of their award after all application materials have been submitted and processed. Any money owed to the school for tuition and other costs will be sent directly to the school. Additional checks will be written to the landlord, insurance company, and any other vendors, etc. and mailed to the student who is responsible for making sure the payment goes to the appropriate person or company.

Effective January 1, 2011 award amounts have been lowered to $2000 per term for full time students and $1000 per term for part time students. Qualifying expenses include: tuition and fees, room and board, student loans, books and supplies, transportation, personal computer/supplies, and miscellaneous personal expenses including health care and child care. Award amounts are subject to available and approved funding.


Contact:

Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
209 E. Washington Suite 284
Jackson, MI 49201
Phone: (517) 789-6444
Toll Free: (877) 660-6388
Fax: (517) 789-5049
Website: http://www.mietv.lssm.org/

Last updated: October 15th, 2011