PHEAA staff outline Chafee, FosterEd and aid steps to help Pennsylvania students from foster care reach college

Tiffany DeVan, host of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency's Higher Education Access Corner podcast, and Abby Gabbner, a program analyst at PHEAA, discussed resources and steps available to Pennsylvania students with foster-care experience who aim to attend or remain in college.

Abby Gabbner said students should "be the squeaky wheel" and seek help from financial aid offices and campus advocates. "Don't be afraid to ask for help," she said. The interview summarized federal and state programs, application pitfalls and tips for staying enrolled.

Why it matters: young people with foster-care histories enroll in postsecondary education at higher-than-average rates but finish at far lower rates. Gabbner cited widely reported ranges for the population'that while 70 to 80 percent of foster-care youth age 17 and older report wanting to go to college, only 2 to 10 percent graduate from a four-year institution.

Programs and rules discussed

- Chafee Education and Training Grant: Gabbner described the federally funded Chafee program (often shortened to Chafee) as providing up to $5,000 a year for eligible students with foster-care experience. She said applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and that the Chafee application has a March 31 deadline for the federal portion.

- FosterEd (Pennsylvania): Gabbner said FosterEd is a Pennsylvania state program, enacted in 2019, intended to cover gaps Chafee does not, including additional tuition and fee support. The FosterEd application shares a single application with Chafee but has a later deadline (May 1), she said.

- FAFSA and PA State Grant: Gabbner emphasized that students should complete the FAFSA every year and also pursue the Pennsylvania State Grant and scholarships to layer funding.

Common application problems and tips

Gabbner and DeVan listed several frequent errors and practical fixes: incorrect or electronically invalid signatures (applications may be rejected if not signed according to instructions), missed deadlines, entering the date of signature instead of birth date, and not listing counties where foster-care records may exist. Gabbner advised applicants to list multiple counties if unsure so the Department of Human Services can locate records more quickly. She recommended students take an advocate or visit a financial aid office for help completing forms.

Campus and statewide supports

Gabbner said most Pennsylvania counties have education liaisons and that many colleges maintain campus access or emergency funds. She urged students to locate the FosterEd point of contact at their institution and to use campus emergency aid, advising, and access offices early rather than waiting until academic difficulties arise.

Staying enrolled

Gabbner encouraged ongoing contact with financial aid staff and campus advisors to prevent loss of eligibility or satisfactory academic progress issues. "Use all your resources. Don't wait," she said. She urged self-advocacy and persistence in following up with offices until a solution is found.

Resources and next steps

Both hosts pointed listeners to PHEAA's website (pheaa.org) for the foster-care-to-college initiative, resources, application links and county education liaison lists. DeVan said future podcast episodes will include students with lived experience who navigated foster care into higher education.

Ending note

The episode presented program details, application deadlines and practical steps to help eligible Pennsylvania students apply for Chafee and FosterEd supports, complete the FAFSA, and connect with campus advocates to increase the chance of persisting in college.