Campus Based Support Program Guide
Updated 7.30.26//Lexi West, MSW
What is this guide?
A centralized directory of campus-based support programs (CSPs), along with information about alternative pathways such as tuition waivers, apprenticeships, and related resources, designed to help students with experience in foster care (SEFC) and other independent students navigate higher education, access support, and plan for life beyond college.
Scroll down and choose your state to learn more.
What is a Campus-Based Support Program (CSP)?
Campus-based support programs (CSPs) are campus‑specific communities built for and around students with experience in foster care (SEFC) and other independent statuses, so you don’t have to figure out college alone.
CSPs offer a hub of caring people and resources on campus, like academic advising, skill‑building workshops, advocacy, mentoring, social events, or just a place to hangout, that make it easier to navigate everything from financial aid and housing to mental health and career planning.
Instead of just handing you a check, CSPs walk alongside you: helping you map out your goals, problem‑solve barriers, and find your people so the campus starts to feel like home.
Many CSPs are powered by donations and dedicated staff who believe in your potential, so you can show up as your full self, build confidence, and thrive far beyond the classroom.
What is an ETV?
An Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is a federally funded, state-administered grant that helps eligible current and former foster youth pay for postsecondary education or vocational training.
ETVs can provide up to $5,000 per year, based on cost of attendance and other aid, for qualified school-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, and certain living costs.
The program is part of the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and is intended for youth likely to remain in care until age 18, those adopted or placed in kinship guardianship at 16 or older, and young adults who have aged out of foster care.
ETV funding is generally available for up to five years (which may be nonconsecutive), as long as students remain eligible and make satisfactory academic progress.
What is an Apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a “learn-while-you-earn” pathway where a person gets paid work experience while also receiving related instruction and training. For foster youth, it can be a practical way to build job skills, earn income, and work toward a recognized credential at the same time.
It is meant to connect learning directly to a career, with support from an employer and structured training. In child welfare, apprenticeships can help foster youth move into stable, skilled jobs while gaining experience along the way.
What is a state tuition waiver?
A state tuition waiver is a policy that allows eligible students to attend certain public colleges or universities in that state without paying tuition (and sometimes key mandatory fees).
It’s usually created by state law to recognize and support specific groups of students, like those who experienced foster care, were adopted from foster care as teens, or meet other independent student criteria.
Instead of being a scholarship you apply for separately, the waiver “zeros out” or significantly reduces your tuition bill once the school confirms you’re eligible. Waivers don’t always cover housing, books, or living expenses, but they can make a huge dent in the overall cost of earning your degree and are often designed to be used alongside other financial aid.