Chafee Update

Sequestration Hits College Bound
Foster Youth
Last week the California Student Aid Commission
(CSAC) released a special alert regarding the reduction
of funding for the Chafee program as a result of
Sequestration, the across the board cuts imposed by
Congress earlier this year. The Chafee program, which
relies in part on federal funds, provides up to $5,000 for
foster youth participating in post-secondary education.
Fewer youth will have access to these awards as funds
will be reduced for award year 2012-13 by $233,000
and by $412,000 for award year 2013-14.

Students who have already received a reward in
previous years will continue to be prioritized over new
applicants. It is still vital however, that all eligible foster
youth apply for these funds even with the reduction in
funding. New awards are likely to be issued even with
funding reductions, and establishing eligibility early
increases the likelihood of receiving an award in future
years. Greater numbers of denied applicants also
provide valuable evidence to support advocacy efforts
to increase the Chafee funding allocation.