Michigan Foster Youth Benefits: EFC, Tuition Waiver, Medicaid & ETV (2026)

Michigan foster youth who aged out of care or are approaching 18 have access to one of the more comprehensive state benefit stacks in the country: extended foster care support through age 21, a Fostering Futures Scholarship worth up to $5,000 per year at any Michigan college, free community college through Michigan Reconnect (now expanded to age 21), Medicaid coverage through age 26, and an Education and Training Voucher of up to $5,000 per year for training and living expenses. Most of these programs can be stacked, meaning you can receive several at the same time. This guide covers every major Michigan benefit available to current and former foster youth in 2026, including eligibility ages, application steps, and what each program actually pays.

Michigan Extended Foster Care (EFC): Staying in Care Through Age 21

Michigan’s Extended Foster Care (EFC) program, authorized under the Michigan Child Welfare Law (MCL 400.641), allows youth who were in the foster care system to voluntarily remain in — or return to — foster care placement and services until their 21st birthday. The program is entirely voluntary after age 18: no one is required to stay, and no one is automatically removed simply for turning 18.

Who Qualifies for Michigan EFC

To participate in Michigan Extended Foster Care, a young person must have been in the state’s foster care system prior to turning 18 and must meet at least one of the following participation conditions on an ongoing basis:

• Enrolled in secondary school or a secondary equivalency program (such as GED courses)
• Enrolled in post-secondary school or a vocational/technical training program
• Participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment
• Employed at least 80 hours per month
• Unable to meet one of the above conditions due to a physical, intellectual, emotional, or psychiatric condition

Youth do not need to be enrolled in school full-time. Part-time enrollment combined with part-time work counts. The key is demonstrating one of these qualifying activities and maintaining it while in the program.

Participation Agreements and Case Management

Youth in EFC sign a voluntary participation agreement with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) outlining the conditions of participation, placement arrangements, and goals. A caseworker is assigned throughout the EFC period and provides support with housing, employment, education planning, and independent living skills. Youth retain access to counseling services and continued health care coverage (Medicaid) while in EFC.

Voluntary Re-Entry After Leaving Care

One of EFC’s most important features is voluntary re-entry. If a young person leaves extended foster care — by choice or due to temporarily failing to meet participation conditions — they can voluntarily re-enter the program as long as they are still under age 21 and can demonstrate they again meet one of the participation conditions. Re-entry is not automatic; the youth must contact their local MDHHS office and request reconnection through the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Liaison. That liaison handles re-enrollment paperwork and can answer questions about what conditions must be documented.

To locate your county’s MDHHS office or request a Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Liaison, visit michigan.gov/fyit/resources/fostercare1821.

EFC Payment Rates

Foster care placement payments in Michigan vary by placement type (licensed foster family home, relative or kin placement, group home, etc.) and by any enhanced level of care rating associated with the youth’s needs. Basic board rates are set and updated by MDHHS; current rates are published in the MDHHS Children’s Foster Care Payment Handbook available at michigan.gov/mdhhs. Youth in extended foster care who are placed in their own apartment or supervised independent living setting may receive a different payment structure. Contact your caseworker or the Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Liaison for the rate applicable to your specific placement type.

For more on preparing for life after foster care, see our complete step-by-step guide on what to do when you age out of foster care.

Michigan Fostering Futures Scholarship: Free Tuition at Any Michigan College

The Fostering Futures Scholarship (FFS), administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury through the Michigan Student Scholarships and Grants (MiSSG) program, provides funding for tuition, fees, room and board, books, and required supplies for eligible former foster youth. For the 2025–26 academic year, awards reach up to $5,000 per year. The award amount for 2026–27 had not been officially published as of August 2026; check the MiSSG portal for the current-year maximum.

Who Qualifies

To receive the Fostering Futures Scholarship, a student must:

• Have been in Michigan foster care due to abuse or neglect on or after age 13
• Be a Michigan resident since at least July 1 of the academic year prior to enrollment
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Enroll at least half-time as an undergraduate student (you cannot already hold a bachelor’s degree)
• Demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA
• Attend a participating Michigan institution (public community colleges, public universities, and private nonprofit degree-granting institutions all qualify)
• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or approved refugee/asylee
• Not be in default on any federal student loans
• Meet your school’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards — these vary by institution but typically require maintaining a minimum GPA and completion rate

There is no maximum age limit for the Fostering Futures Scholarship. A 35-year-old former foster youth who was never able to attend college can still apply.

How to Apply

Starting with the 2026–27 academic year, Michigan streamlined the process: students apply once through the MiSSG Student Portal at michigan.gov/mistudentaid. If approved, the award auto-renews each year as long as the student files the FAFSA annually and continues to meet the eligibility conditions. The application deadline for 2026–27 is December 31, 2026. Funding is first-come, first-served within each award year, so filing the FAFSA early (as soon as it opens in October) and completing the FFS application promptly is important.

For questions, contact the Michigan Student Aid office at 888-447-2687.

What the Scholarship Covers

Awards can be used toward tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meals, books, and required course supplies. The scholarship is need-based, so the actual amount awarded depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the FAFSA and other aid you have already received. Institutions coordinate the award into your overall financial aid package.

Learn more about stacking education benefits with our free job training programs for foster youth guide.

Michigan Reconnect: Free Community College for Ages 21 and Up

Michigan Reconnect is the state’s last-dollar scholarship for community college attendance. As of fall 2026, Michigan expanded Reconnect eligibility to include adults ages 21 and older — a significant change that directly benefits foster youth who aged out of the system and are now trying to access free college. Prior to this expansion, Reconnect required applicants to be at least 25.

What Changed in 2026

Michigan’s 2026–27 state education budget allocated $25 million to fund a one-year expansion of Reconnect to ages 21–24. The expansion is currently authorized through the 2026–27 academic year; state legislators including Senator McCann have announced plans to pursue permanent authorization in the upcoming legislative session. As of August 2026, the program is active and accepting new applicants in this age range.

How Reconnect Works

Michigan Reconnect covers the remaining tuition balance at a Michigan community college after all other gift aid (grants, scholarships) has been applied — making it a last-dollar program. It covers in-district tuition fully and provides a substantial discount for out-of-district enrollment. The program does not cover fees, housing, or books, but those gaps can be addressed with the Fostering Futures Scholarship or ETV (see below).

Eligibility Requirements

• Michigan resident for at least one year
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED counts)
• Have not previously earned an associate or bachelor’s degree
• Age 21 or older (as of fall 2026 expansion)
• File the FAFSA

Former foster youth who meet these conditions qualify. The program does not have a foster care status requirement — it is open to any qualifying Michigan resident.

Stacking Reconnect with the Fostering Futures Scholarship

Because Reconnect is last-dollar, it layers on top of grants and scholarships you already receive. The Fostering Futures Scholarship is applied first; if it fully covers tuition, Reconnect may not be needed for tuition — but you retain the Fostering Futures award for other allowable expenses like housing and books. If FFS does not fully cover tuition costs, Reconnect fills the gap. In practice, foster youth attending Michigan community colleges may be able to attend at zero tuition cost by stacking FFS and Reconnect together.

Apply at michigan.gov/reconnect.

Michigan Education and Training Voucher (ETV): Up to $5,000/Year for Training and Living Expenses

Michigan’s Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program, funded through the federal Chafee Foster Care Independence Program and administered in Michigan by Samaritas (a statewide nonprofit), provides up to $5,000 per fiscal year to eligible foster youth and young adults to cover post-secondary education and training costs. The ETV is one of the most flexible financial supports available because it can cover not just tuition but a wide range of living and training expenses.

What ETV Covers

Michigan ETV funds can be applied toward:

• Tuition and mandatory fees
• Room and board
• Books and school supplies
• Transportation costs
• Computer equipment and supplies
• Miscellaneous personal expenses
• Health care expenses
• Child care costs
• Existing student loan payments

This breadth makes ETV especially valuable for youth covering costs that scholarships typically do not — housing, transportation, child care, and health out-of-pocket costs.

Who Qualifies

To receive Michigan ETV, youth must:

• Have been in foster care in Michigan from age 14 or older, OR have been adopted or placed in guardianship from foster care after age 16
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution at least half-time — this includes four-year universities, community colleges, trade schools, and vocational programs (institution must have been in operation at least 2 years and offer a 2-year or longer program, gainful employment training, or vocational credentials)
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
• Be under age 21 at the time of initial enrollment in the program (once enrolled before 21, you remain eligible through age 26)
• Have not yet exhausted 5 fiscal years of ETV support

How to Apply

Apply online through the Michigan ETV portal at mietv.samaritas.org or call 1-877-660-METV (1-877-660-6388). The application packet requires:

1. Completed ETV application
2. Education Agreement form
3. Budget Form outlining projected expenses
4. Financial Aid Release Form (allows Samaritas to verify other aid)
5. Copy of high school diploma or GED
6. Enrollment verification from your school
7. Official or unofficial transcript showing GPA
8. Financial aid award letter
9. Documentation of tuition costs

The fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30. Apply early — funds are awarded on a rolling basis and may be exhausted before year-end.

For a full breakdown of the federal Chafee ETV program and how it works nationally, see our Chafee ETV guide.

Michigan Medicaid for Former Foster Youth: Coverage Through Age 26

Michigan’s Foster Care Transitional Medicaid (FCTMA) provides full Medicaid health coverage to former foster youth from age 18 through age 26, at no premium cost. This program was mandated under the Affordable Care Act and implemented in Michigan through MDHHS. Coverage includes doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital care, mental health services, substance use disorder treatment, and dental and vision care under Michigan’s Medicaid managed care plans.

Who Qualifies

To receive FCTMA, a young person must:

• Be under age 26
• Have been in an out-of-home foster care placement in Michigan, under the authority of MDHHS or a Michigan tribal court, on or after their 18th birthday

There is no income test for FCTMA. Former foster youth who were in Michigan’s care at 18 qualify regardless of current income or employment status. Youth who were in foster care in another state but are now Michigan residents may also qualify — contact MDHHS for a determination based on your prior state’s records.

How to Apply

Apply through the MI Bridges portal at newmibridges.michigan.gov, or contact your local MDHHS county office. When applying, indicate that you are a former foster youth seeking Foster Care Transitional Medicaid. If you are currently in Extended Foster Care, your Medicaid coverage is maintained automatically — you do not need to apply separately until you exit EFC.

Youth who did not know about FCTMA and went without coverage can apply retroactively; coverage can be backdated up to three months in some circumstances. Call 1-855-275-6424 (MI Bridges help line) for assistance.

What Michigan Medicaid Covers

Michigan Medicaid managed care plans cover a broad set of services including:

• Primary care, specialist visits, and emergency services
• Prescription drugs through the Medicaid drug benefit
• Mental health and behavioral health services through Community Mental Health (CMH) programs
• Substance use disorder treatment
• Dental and vision coverage (Michigan expanded dental benefits for adult Medicaid enrollees in 2023)
• Reproductive health and family planning services

Michigan participates in multiple Medicaid managed care plans; your county of residence determines which plans are available to you. Managed care enrollment is handled at the time of Medicaid approval. If you have specific provider preferences, request plan options during enrollment.

Michigan Foster Youth Housing Programs: Transitional Living and Rapid Rehousing

Aging out of foster care without stable housing is one of the most serious risks former foster youth face nationally. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, youth who age out without housing support face significantly elevated rates of homelessness within the first year. Michigan has several programs aimed specifically at addressing housing instability for this population.

MDHHS Transitional Housing Programs

MDHHS contracts with community-based providers across Michigan to offer transitional supportive housing — short- to medium-term housing combined with case management, life skills, employment support, and connection to permanent housing. These programs are primarily designed for youth and young adults 18–24. To find a MDHHS-funded transitional housing provider near you, contact your MDHHS county office or access the MDHHS provider directory at michigan.gov/mdhhs/housing.

Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) — Detroit Area

The Detroit-area Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP), coordinated through HAN Detroit (the Detroit Continuum of Care), is a HUD-funded initiative providing rapid rehousing and transitional housing specifically for unhoused youth ages 18–24. Former foster youth are a priority population. YHDP-funded programs in Detroit provide rental assistance, security deposits, utility startup costs, and case management during the housed period. Contact HAN Detroit at handetroit.org for current program availability and referral.

PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness)

Michigan’s PATH program provides outreach and supportive services — including mental health assessment, case management, and connection to housing resources — to homeless individuals with serious mental illness. Foster youth experiencing both housing instability and behavioral health needs can access PATH through community mental health agencies. PATH is not a housing program directly but acts as a bridge to stable housing and treatment.

Rapid Rehousing

MDHHS funds Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs through the Emergency Solutions Grant. RRH provides short-term rental assistance (typically three to six months) combined with intensive case management to help unhoused individuals — including foster youth — move quickly into their own apartments and build the income to sustain housing independently. Referrals typically flow through local Continuums of Care and 211 Michigan (dial 2-1-1 or visit mi211.org).

For a national overview of youth housing programs and how to access them by state, see our guide to foster youth housing resources and programs.

Michigan Employment Programs: Michigan Works!, Going PRO, and Apprenticeships

Michigan has a robust workforce development network that former foster youth can access to get employed, earn industry credentials, and build careers — often without paying out of pocket for training.

Michigan Works! — Priority Services for Foster Youth

Michigan Works! is the state’s workforce development system, operating through local Michigan Works! agencies in every county and region. Youth who are current or former foster youth are a priority population under WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) Title I Youth programs, meaning they can access services that are not available to all job seekers. These services include:

• Career assessment and individual employment plan development
• Occupational skills training paid for by WIOA Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) — covering tuition, fees, and materials at approved training providers
• Paid work experiences, internships, and on-the-job training subsidies
• Job placement assistance and post-placement follow-up
• Financial literacy, resume, and interview coaching
• Transportation and supportive services for barriers to employment

Locate your local Michigan Works! agency at michiganworks.org. When you call or visit, state that you are a former foster youth — this triggers WIOA priority enrollment.

Going PRO Talent Fund

Michigan’s Going PRO Talent Fund provides employer grants for short-term, credential-bearing workforce training. In April 2026, the state announced $6 million in FY 2026 Cycle 2 awards. The fund works employer-first: a company applies for a training grant and, if approved, employees (including new hires) receive the training at no personal cost. For foster youth who have secured employment, asking your employer whether they have applied or will apply for Going PRO funding is a legitimate pathway to earn additional credentials while working — at the employer’s cost. Average training cost per participant runs approximately $1,380 per the program’s 2014–2026 data. Training leads to industry-recognized, transferable credentials in fields like manufacturing, construction, technology, and healthcare.

Employers apply through the Work-Based Learning Online Management System (WBLOMS). Contact your local Michigan Works! Talent Fund Key Contact for guidance. More information at michigan.gov/leo/going-pro.

Registered Apprenticeships

Michigan has an active registered apprenticeship system across the building trades, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare sectors. Apprenticeships are earn-while-you-learn programs: participants receive wages from day one, with incremental raises as skills increase, and earn a federally recognized credential (Registered Apprenticeship Certificate) upon completion. Michigan Works! agencies can connect you with apprenticeship sponsors, and WIOA funds can cover related instruction costs for eligible youth. Search open apprenticeship opportunities at apprenticeship.gov and filter by Michigan.

For a deeper look at workforce training programs available nationwide for foster youth, visit our free job training programs guide and explore Azgari Foundation’s AI and digital skills training programs built specifically for foster youth.

Campus-Based Support Programs at Michigan Universities

Beyond statewide scholarships, Michigan has campus-specific programs at 12 institutions providing peer mentoring, emergency funds, priority registration, and tailored advising for foster youth:

• Wayne State University — CHAMPS program, providing academic support, emergency funding, and peer community
• Michigan State University — FAME program and Foster Care Youth Endowed Scholarship
• University of Michigan — Blavin Scholars Program, offering comprehensive mentoring and financial support
• Ferris State University — FYI Scholarship ($4,000/year)
• Plus Saginaw Valley State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Aquinas College, Grand Valley State, Lansing Community College, Washtenaw Community College, and Wayne County Community College

Contact the financial aid or student services office at your target institution and ask specifically about foster youth support programs — many have resources not publicly advertised. For additional resources, visit azgari.org/resources and apply to Azgari Foundation programs.

How to Stack Michigan Foster Youth Benefits

Many Michigan foster youth leave money on the table because they do not know these programs can be combined. Here is a practical stacking sequence for a foster youth attending community college:

1. File FAFSA — this unlocks Pell Grant (up to $7,395 for 2025–26) and is required for FFS and Reconnect
2. Apply for Fostering Futures Scholarship through MiSSG portal — up to $5,000/year for tuition, housing, books
3. Apply for Michigan Reconnect — covers any remaining tuition balance at community college after FFS and Pell
4. Apply for Michigan ETV at mietv.samaritas.org — up to $5,000/year for remaining living expenses, transportation, child care
5. Enroll in Medicaid via MI Bridges — free health, dental, mental health coverage to age 26
6. Remain in or re-enroll in Extended Foster Care if under 21 and meeting participation conditions — provides ongoing placement support and case management
7. Connect with Michigan Works! for WIOA-funded training supplements or job placement support

A foster youth executing this stack at a Michigan community college in 2026 could access free or near-free tuition, up to $10,000/year in living and education expense support (FFS + ETV), free health care, and employment training — all simultaneously.

For a guide to doing this in other states, see our state-by-state independent living resources guide.