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

Ohio Education & Training Voucher (ETV) Program

• 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.

FCS and ETV

What is the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program?

• 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.

Who is eligible for OH ETV funds?

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.

Please take note:• 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.

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

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.

How do students submit the required form?

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.

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).

Student Participation

How are ETV awards determined?

• 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

What can ETV funds cover?

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.

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.

Funding is made on a case-by-case basisEach 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.

ETV TimelineJuly 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.

Encourage Students to Login to their ETV ApplicationStudents 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

Students can check on the status of their paperwork.

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

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.

Graduate Without Incurring Debt

Slight Variation Annually

51% of OH ETV students return and enroll in school five semesters.

40% Male 216 60% Female 320

22% Parents 118

To Contact OH ETV Staff:

oh@statevoucher.org

855-471-1931

www.statevoucher.org