The South Dakota Department of Social Services has financial assistance available for current and former foster care youth who want to further their education.
Secretary Laurie Gill says Educational Training Vouchers are available through DSS to help eligible people who were involved in the child welfare system pay tuition for college and skilled trade classes. She says by providing financial assistance to foster care youth, DSS can help remove barriers to obtaining further educational opportunities.
DSS encourages youth to send in their applications before December 15, 2021, for the Spring semester.
Gill says right now, there are additional flexibilities for ETV funding through the Supporting Foster Youth and Families section of the Pandemic Act. She says through September 30, 2022, the maximum annual grant increases to $12,000 and vouchers can be provided to young people until they reach age 27. The funds can be combined with other grants and scholarships.
From July 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021, 24 youth in South Dakota received $157,335 through the program.
For information about the ETV program, current or former foster care youth can call DSS Program Specialist Eric Grover at 605-394-2525 ext. 251 or visit https://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/independentlivingprogram/educationtraining.aspx.
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