Foster Alumni Can Attend College Full Coverage in 2022 - Minnesota

About this resource

Foster Advocates, a young Minnesota nonprofit, recently drafted and helped pass a ground-breaking bill through the Minnesota legislature.

This bill makes it so students in foster care in Minnesota can attend college for free, starting in 2022. The bill, which is the first of its kind in the nation, gives Minnesota students who experienced the foster care system a guarantee of a college education.

After a navigator helps students apply to all other relevant state scholarships, the state will cover the remaining cost, including an estimate of tuition, living expenses, books, transportation, school supplies, relevant disability costs, eligible study-abroad fees, and miscellaneous expenses such as a laptop.

If you are still in contact with your caseworker or STAY (Succesful Transition to Adulthood for Youth) worker, contact them to discuss how to make sure you are getting the educational supports you need. If you do not have your workers' contact information, we suggest contacting your nearest DHS or STAY office and or contact. You can find a list of who to contact in Minnesota, here: County and Tribal County Contact Information.

If you are unsure who to call, you can call the mainline of Minnesota Department of Human Services at 651-431-4686. Let the staff who answers know you are calling to speak to someone about Minnesota college for free, and that you are a former foster youth. 

Eligibility