Ky.gov

An Official Website of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Education

Learn the Tricks of Academics

Self-Exploration

Before you can decide what you are going to do after high school, you need to first understand your strengths and interests.

Assess Yourself - Find Your Strengths, Interests and Talents

Explore Career Paths – find your dream job

More Career Planning Websites

College Preparation

Educational Benefits

Current and former foster youth are eligible for a variety of educational benefits and resources.

ACT Waiver and free test prep tools

Current Foster youth are eligible to take TWO free ACT Tests. Foster youth are also eligible for free access to the online Kaplan ACT prep program. For more information, contact your high school guidance counselor.

Tuition Waiver

The Tuition Waiver for Foster and Adopted Children waives the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at all of Kentucky’s public 4 (year) universities as well as all the colleges and institutions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS). Once utilized, the waiver is good for 5 years. Tuition Waiver Eligible Schools

Eligible youth include:

Eligible youth must:

To apply, the youth should complete Section I of the Tuition Waiver and return the form to the college’s financial aid office. The Waiver should be completed at least 6 weeks prior to the start of classes.

Educational Training Voucher

The ETV program provides former foster youth up to $5000 per year to assist with the cost of attending college or completing a job-training program. Youth receiving the Education Training Voucher are also eligible for additional supports and services to ensure their success.

Eligible youth must:

For more information, email: chafee.ilp@ky.gov

Learn and Work Programs

Registered Apprenticeship is a flexible training system that combines job related technical instruction with on-the-job learning experiences. Apprentices start working from day one with incremental wage increases as they become better at the job. Registered Apprenticeship is active in traditional industries such as construction and manufacturing, but it is expanding into emerging industries such as healthcare, energy, and homeland security.

Job Corps is a program for 16-24 year olds that provides a place to live, medical care, vocational training, and a GED. Students live on the Job Corps campus while they receive vocational training for a job. This program is free.        

AmeriCorps provides a living allowance, health insurance, training, and an education award to help young people age 16 and over pay for college or vocational training in exchange for serving full-time in community service. Young people can live on campus or on their own.

FEMA Corps is a joint program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and AmeriCorps, and offers young people the similar benefits as AmeriCorps. FEMA Corps Members serve a 10-month term and are eligible to serve a second year based on their performance. FEMA Corps members may work directly with disaster survivors, provide support services to disaster recovery centers, or assist disaster preparedness.

Year Up is a free one-year program for young people between 18–24 years old who are highly motivated to learn technical and professional skills. It combines hands-on skill development, college credits, a stipend, and corporate internships to prepare students for success in professional careers and higher education. Youth earn up to 24 college credits and a stipend while gaining valuable work experience in the field of IT. Must be a high school graduate or GED recipient.

This guide was written to help foster youth understand what "Joining the Military" really means. For foster youth who are considering military service, this guide will help you make the best decision for yourself and help you navigate the military enlistment process.

Helpful Forms

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Additional Resources