State announces grant program to cover higher education tuition for Minnesotans in foster care

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education announced a new grant program that seeks to help cover tuition and living expenses for qualifying Minnesotans who have been in the foster care system.

The Fostering Independence Grant will cover tuition, fees, books, housing, and transportation for Minnesotans who are under the age of 27 and who have been in the foster care system for any amount of time after age 13.

“For our economy to thrive we must break down barriers to higher education and create pathways for everyone in Minnesota to thrive,” Office of Higher Education Commissioner Dennis Olson said in a statement. “To any Minnesota fosters who didn’t think higher education was a possibility, I hope this grant is the catalyst for you to pursue postsecondary.”

The funding for this grant program was passed during the 2021 state legislative session.

Students will need to complete a Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form or Minnesota Dream Act application to be considered for the grant. If eligibility is met, the grant will be part of a financial aid package offered to the student.

For more information on eligibility and criteria, click here.