The document discusses Foster Care to Success (FCS), an organization that provides scholarships and Educational Training Vouchers (ETV) to help youth in foster care pursue post-secondary education and career success. It provides details about the ETV program, which provides up to $5,000 per year in grants to eligible former foster youth for college or vocational training. The summary outlines the eligibility requirements, application process, allowable costs covered by ETV grants, funding priorities and timeline.

1. Promoting education, training
and career success for youth in
foster care.

2. FCS and ETV
• Since 1981, the Foster Care to Success Foundation, Orphan
Foundation of America (OFA) has provided moral support, financial
assistance, and workforce development coaching to youth involved
with the foster care system.
• To more clearly honor our mission and the young people we
serve, OFA is celebrating our 30th anniversary by changing our
name to Foster Care to Success: America’s College Fund for
Foster Youth, (FCS.)
• Annually, FCS awards $15 million in scholarships and ETV grants to
help young people attend and complete post-secondary education and
training programs and successfully enter the workforce.
• FCS/OFA has administered the OH ETV Program since academic year
2003-2004.

3. • The ETV Program provides grants to help former foster
youth attend colleges and vocational training institutions.
• An ETV grant is up to $5000 per academic year to attend
an accredited college or vocational/technical training
program.
• The program is federally funded and state administered.

4. Youth who were in foster care on or after their 18th
birthday.
Or
A person who was adopted from foster care with the
adoption finalized AFTER their 16th birthday.
Or
Those who have their foster care case closed between the
ages of 18 and 21.

5. • FCS does not determine ETV eligibility, this is a State decision.
• The applicant is responsible for completing his/her own ETV
application and must provide their own contact information in the
Student Contact section.
• Completing the online portion of the application is step one of a two
step process. Applicants must submit the required financial aid
documentation and be attending and in good standing.
• To remain eligible for ETV, students must maintain
satisfactory progress towards earning a degree or
certificate.
• Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV
funding prior to their 21st birthday.

6. STEP ONE – Students complete an online
application at www.statevoucher.org

7. STEP TWO: Required Form – The STUDENT must sign the top block
of the form and take it to the college’s Financial Aid Office which then
sends the required information to ETV.

8. 1. Applicants download and print the Financial Aid form which is
first available just before a student applies. It is also attached to
the welcome email applicants receive upon completing the online
application.
2. Students complete the top portion of the Financial Aid Form
and brings it to the school’s financial aid office to complete and
sends to OH ETV via fax.
3. Applicants review the Student Participation Agreement
which outlines the program and clearly states what they must do
to remain eligible for funding. This form is for reference only, it is
not sent to OH ETV.

9. The Student Participation Agreement articulates the
expectations of the OH ETV Program. Students are expected
to:
• Apply online annually, after July 1, and submit the Financial
Aid Release form each semester.
• Request an official transcript be sent to OH ETV after each
semester.
• Check their personal email account weekly for information
from OH ETV.
• Update their contact information online on the Student
Contact Form whenever it changes.
• Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Comply with other program expectations that relate to
them (including participation in the Academic Success
Program).

10. • The OH ETV grant cannot exceed a student’s unmet
financial need as per the Higher Education Act.
• The OH ETV Program is federally funded; it receives a
set allocation annually that has decreased since the
program began.
• The maximum annual ETV award is $5,000; however the
goal is to meet need statewide.
• In 2010-11
• 49% of recipients receive <$2600
• 19% received $2,600 - $4,999
• 32% received $5,000

11. ETV funds are for costs related to attending school. For more
information on the federal definition of “cost of attendance”
visit www.ed.gov/policy
ETV funds are first used for tuition, books and school fees. Once
these expenses have been covered, it can be used for qualified living
expenses although it may be used to repay student loans incurred
during the current academic year.
ETV funds can also be used to cover the following expenses:
• - School Supplies, including a Computer;
• - Transportation;
• - School Health Insurance;
• - Dependent Care Expenses; and
• - Study Abroad Expenses.

12. Ohio’s goal is to help as many students as possible
attend and graduate from a post-secondary program
with as little debt as possible.
ETV funding is limited. It is a first come, first serve
program.
However, priority is given to :
Current ETV recipients who are over the age of 21
and continuing in school and making
satisfactory progress towards graduation.
Youth who received an ETV grant in the previous
FFY and are making satisfactory progress.

13. Funding is made on a case-by-case basis
Each student’s financial aid needs are reviewed; it may vary
from semester to semester.
Students who drop or fail classes do not receive the same
funding as those who are passing and meeting graduation
requirements.
Often a student who attends a community college receives
less funding than a student at a four year school.
Students who are in an independent living program or
subsidized housing receive less than those who pay rent or
have dorm charges.
It is expected that students will contribute to their
education if possible. Most college students seek part-time
or summer employment or have an on-campus job through
the Work -Study program.

14. ETV Timeline
July 1 – application for the fall semester is available online.
Funding is allocated on a per semester basis. Many factors go into when students
receive funding – the online application is step one, the submission of the financial aid
form and the transcript is step two.
All students are sent an ETV award letter that details what funding they will receive.
Funding sent directly to the school is paid first – tuition and fees and on campus
housing.
Book money is sent to students as early as possible in the semester based on the day
they complete the application, step one and two.
If a student requests and is eligible for a computer, this is will be sent to them as early as
possible in the semester.
Funds for living expenses are spaced out so students receive 2 or 3 checks throughout
the semester.

15. Encourage Students to Login to their ETV
Application
Students should login to their ETV applications on a regular basis.
By doing this, they can:
• Update their contact information
• Check to confirm that their paperwork has been received by
OH ETV
• Obtain information about check disbursements issued to
them or to third parties on their behalf

16. Students can check on the status of their paperwork.

17. Students can view check disbursements
made to them or a third party.

18. Graduate Without Incurring Debt
Students attending a private college should receive grant funding from
that college in lieu of student loans. If the school does not offer sufficient
grant funding the student should meet with the financial aid officer
BEFORE ENROLLING to discuss their financial aid needs. If the student is
expected to borrow heavily to attend the school, help the youth consider
the pros & cons of attending a private college and assuming considerable
debt for an undergraduate degree.
For-Profit schools, market themselves as a quick path to a career. They
are always much more expensive than the local community college and
they may or may not have a good reputation with employers. Credits
from for-profit schools may not be transferable. Just „going to school,
any school‟ is not in a young person‟s long term best interest.

19. 51% of OH ETV students return and enroll in
school five semesters.
 40% Male 216
 60% Female 320
 22% Parents 118

20. To Contact OH ETV Staff:
oh@statevoucher.org
855-471-1931
www.statevoucher.org