Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants

 

We know that the cost of higher education is a barrier for many Minnesotans. The Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants (FIG) is a financial aid program that seeks to eliminate that barrier for Minnesota students who were in the foster care system.

If you are a Minnesota resident under age 27 and were in the Minnesota foster care system at any point after your thirteenth birthday, this grant may cover the cost of attendance at any eligible Minnesota public or participating private college and university. Accessing the grant is as simple as filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)  OR Minnesota Dream Act application. Both applications include a question about foster care; the Minnesota Department of Human Services confirms your information. If you are eligible, your postsecondary institution will award the grant as part of your financial aid package.

Who is Eligible?

• You are a Minnesota resident, including students who apply for state financial aid via the MN Dream Act Application
• You are younger than 27 years of age
• You are attending a Minnesota public or participating private higher education institution
• You are eligible for the Education Vouchers for Former Youth in Foster Care OR after your 13th birthday have been in in foster care in Minnesota, including any of the following:
  • Placement in foster care at any time while 13 years of age or older;
  • Adoption from foster care at any time after reaching 13 years of age; or
  • Placement from foster care with a permanent legal custodian at any time after reaching 13 years of age
• You have graduated from high school or completed the equivalent as approved by the Department of Education
• You have been accepted for admission to, or are currently attending, an eligible institution
• You have submitted a FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application
• You are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by your institution

Which Minnesota Postsecondary Institutions are "Eligible"?

Fostering Independence Higher Education Grants are available to eligible Minnesota students attending any eligible institution in the state. Eligible Institutions include Minnesota state universities, the University of Minnesota campuses, public community and technical colleges, participating tribal colleges and private institutions. Fostering Independence Grants are not available at out-of-state schools.

2024-2025 Eligible Institutions

2023-2024 Eligible Institutions

What is the Application Process?

To apply for the grant, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form OR Minnesota Dream Act application. Completing the applicable form will serve as the application for receiving a Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant, as well as other grants and financial aid resources. 

If you receive a Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant, each year you will need to reapply via the FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act to be considered for the grant.

The application priority deadline is May 1, 2025 for the 2025-2026 award year. Students who complete their 2025-2026 FAFSA or Dream Act Application by the priority deadline will be considered for the Fostering Independence Grant before those who complete their application after this date. The priority deadline will only be used if there is a projected funding shortfall for the award year.

The priority deadline for the 2024-2025 award year was July 15, 2024.

How is the Award Determined?

After you complete your FAFSA or Minnesota Dream Act application, the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families will confirm your initial eligibility. If you meet initial eligibility, you will be added to the roster of the first eligible, participating school you listed on your application. If you are placed on the roster of a school that you do attend, contact the Office of Higher Education to be moved to the school you plan to attend. Since FIG is a last dollar grant program, your school will need to have all other financial aid finalized before the FIG award can be calculated.

How Much Money Does the Grant Provide?

The Fostering Independence Higher Education Grant is intended as a 'last dollar' financial aid program.

Public Institutions

If you attend a Minnesota public institution, the award will be determined after subtracting the following from your cost of attendance:

• Your Expected Family Contribution (as determined by the FAFSA or MN Dream Act Application)
• All federal and state gift aid (grants and scholarships)
• All tribal scholarships
• The Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
• Extended foster care benefits
• All private grants or scholarships
• All institutional grants, scholarships and tuition waiver or remission amounts

Private Institutions

If you attend a participating Minnesota private institution, the recognized cost of attendance will the lesser of the federal Title IV cost of attendance at the institution or the highest federal Title IV cost of attendance for a public 2-year institution or public 4-year institution in Minnesota. The cost of attendance used for federal Title IV financial aid includes tuition and fees, an allowance for books, supplies, transportation, miscellaneous expenses, and room and board.

For the 2022-2023 academic year, Minnesota’s highest public 4-year cost of attendance is estimated to be $34,016. The highest public 2-year cost of attendance is estimated to be $24,942. At participating private institutions, the award will be determined after subtracting the following from the recognized cost of attendance:

• Your Expected Family Contribution (as determined by the FAFSA or MN Dream Act Application)
• All federal and state gift aid (grants and scholarships)
• All tribal scholarships
• The Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
• Extended foster care benefits
• All private grants or scholarships not provided by the private institution you are attending

Participating private institutions have agreed to provide institutional grants, scholarships, tuition waivers or remission to cover the gap between what is not covered from the list above and the school's federal Title IV cost of attendance.

For How Long Can You Receive the Grant?

In order to be considered for the grant, you must reapply via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or MN Dream Act each year.  An eligible undergraduate student may receive a Foster Grant in any year of study unless: the student has earned a baccalaureate degree or received a Foster Grant for five years.  Additionally, students enrolled in a 2-year degree, certificate or diploma programs are limited to 3 annual awards or the equivalent.  Students enrolled in a 4-year undergraduate degree program are limited to 5 annual awards or the equivalent.

Annual Reports

Fostering Independence Grant Annual Report, 2024
Fostering Independence Grant Annual Report, 2023

Additional Resources

Minnesota Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV)
Extended Foster Care Benefits

Who do I Contact with Questions?

Please contact the Office of Higher Education at financialaid.ohe@state.mn.us or (651) 642-0567 and select option 2.