My grades were not so great and I had no way to pay for college. My foster family couldn’t afford to help me pay for college and my case manager and guidance counselor had no suggestions on scholarships or grants. I had given up hope. I knew that getting an education was important and that I would make more money with a college degree. I was at a local foster youth conference when I heard another foster youth talking about how she was going to college because of Chafee. So, I asked her what Chafee was and if I could get Chafee. She said that Chafee was a governmental

	Did not finish High School High School Graduate, GED Some College-No Degree Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree Master’s Degree Doctorate Professional $12,050 $19,946 $21,960 $27,835 $37,457 $48,583 $67,288 $70,176 *According to the US Census Bureau

program that gives states money to help current and former foster youth transitioning to adulthood and that educational assistance was part of the program. She told me that I could receive up to $5,000 a year for tuition, housing, and a food plan at a four-year college. I could even get money for school if I went to a vocational or technical school.

To learn more about the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) and the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Act of 1999, visit the following links:

National:
http://www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/ChafeeFAQ.htm
Tennessee:
http://www.state.tn.us/youth/tnindependentliving/index.html