FAMILY Fund Grant

FAMILY Fund Grant is sponsored by Hamilton County Job and Family Services. The FAMILY Fund provides financial support to foster youth who have or will soon emancipate from Hamilton County, Ohio, to attend education and training opportunities. This includes degree/certificate programs, apprenticeships, military, or other job training.

Hamilton County OH Job and Family Services The FAMILY Fund (Friends and Advocates Making Investments in Local Youth) will provide financial support to make it easier for youth who have or will soon emancipate from Hamilton County to attend education and training opportunities that lead to viable occupations and careers.

Educational Grant Program The FAMILY Fund offers a grant program designed to support foster youth engaged in postsecondary education.

Applicants who meet the following qualifications will be considered: You have or will emancipate from Hamilton County, Ohio on or after your 18th birthday; You are currently between the ages of 16 and 26; You have been accepted into or are enrolled in a degree, certificate, or other accredited program at a college or university that provides transferable credits; You have been accepted into or are enrolled in an apprenticeship, military, or other job training program that has been approved by the FAMILY Fund Grants Committee.

Two grant programs are offered. Title IV grants are for students pursuing a postsecondary program eligible for Title IV financial aid. Applicants may apply during July or November for this Title IV grant.

A one-time grant is available to students whose program costs are covered but need additional funding for an educational expense such as certification fee or a short-term training program. Applications for this one-time grant are open all year.

FAMILY Fund Grants can be applied towards tuition and other expenditures related to postsecondary education and training including (but not limited to) a 2- or 4- year college, vocational and trade training, skill-based certificate training, preparation for military service, and unpaid job internships or apprenticeships.

In addition to tuition, grants may be applied to other expenses needed to engage in postsecondary education such as books, computers, or internet connections for online classes. You may need to submit the federal FAFSA form or apply for Ohio ETV funding to be eligible for a FAMILY Fund grant. See more information below in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Next Step for FAMILY Fund Grant If you are interested in being considered for a FAMILY Fund grant, click the Educational Inquiry Form button below and fill out the inquiry form. A JFS Program Specialist will provide information about the grant that best suits your needs and our application process. Then, you can check back on on your application status.

Or you can contact a JFS Program Specialist at HAMIL-tay@jfs. ohio. gov Returning Applicants Upload Documents Here Frequently Asked Questions Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about financial aid and FAMILY Fund grants.

Who is eligible for a grant? You emancipated (or will emancipate) from Hamilton County, Ohio on or after your 18 th You have been accepted into or are enrolled in: A college or university program (degree, certificate, or another accredited program) that offers transferable credits. An apprenticeship, military, or other job training program that has been preapproved by the FAMILY Fund.

If you have already started your program, you are meeting your institution’s satisfactory academic progress requirements. You will use any awarded funds before your 27 th You must confirm your eligibility by submitting a completed Educational Funding Inquiry Form to Hamil-TAY@jfs. ohio.

gov . After you submit the form, a JFS Program Specialist will: Provide application materials if you are eligible. Financial Aid Information What are FAFSA and Ohio ETV?

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The FAFSA is a form the government uses to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Many students who were in foster care or custody at age 13 or older qualify for aid. After you submit the FAFSA, the government will review your application and let you know how much federal aid you qualify to receive.

Pell Grants (including standard Pell or Workforce Pell). Federal student loans (subsidized and unsubsidized). Work-study opportunities through your school.

Complete the free FAFSA application here: https://studentaid. gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa . NOTE: The Workforce Pell Grant is a new type of federal financial aid available beginning in the 2026–27 academic year.

It expands Pell Grant eligibility to include some short-term training programs, typically lasting 8–15 weeks. Not all programs qualify. If you have questions about Workforce Pell or whether your program is eligible, contact your college, training provider, or financial aid office.

Ohio Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program The Ohio ETV Program is a federally funded program that helps current and former foster youth pay for postsecondary education and training expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and housing. To apply ( or find out if you are eligible ), please visit https://fosteredservices. org/ohio-etv/ .

For questions about the program, send an email to ohetv@fosteredservices. org . Some short-term job training programs do not qualify for Ohio ETV funding.

If yours does not qualify, you may still apply for a grant through the FAMILY Fund if the JFS Program Specialist determines that your program is eligible. Which grant should I apply for? The right grant depends on your educational program and individual needs.

Start by completing the Education Funding Inquiry Form . After you submit it, a JFS Educational Specialist will review your information and help determine: Which grant(s), if any, you are eligible for. Whether there are additional financial aid resources that may better fit your situation.

Does my program qualify for Title IV federal financial aid funding? Your college, university, or training program can confirm whether your program qualifies for Title IV federal financial aid, including grants like the Pell Grant or Workforce Pell. Contact your school’s financial aid office to: Confirm whether your degree or certificate program is eligible.

Learn which types of financial aid you may qualify. Get guidance on how to apply. If you’re unsure where to start, your financial aid office is the best resource to walk you through the process.

One-Time Grant applications are accepted anytime during the year. There is no standard application period for the One-Time Grant. The FAMILY Fund Grant application submission period happens two times during the year (summer and fall).

Students are eligible to receive one FAMILY Fund Grant per year and may apply during either submission period. For more guidance on when to apply, see the table below. Eligible students who will start using the grant funds for a program* that starts in August through December OR who are enrolled (or will enroll) in an upcoming fall semester or term.

Eligible students who will start using the grant funds for a program* that starts in January through July OR who are enrolled (or will enroll) in the upcoming winter/spring/summer semester or term. *Some job training programs start on a rolling basis throughout the year. How much funding could I receive from the FAMILY Fund?

The FAMILY Fund is designed to help fill financial gaps for eligible students pursuing postsecondary education or training. The amount you may receive depends on your financial need and the type of grant you apply for. We offer two types of grants: Available for degree, certificate, or job training programs that: Qualify for Title IV federal financial aid, AND Typically take nine months or longer to complete as a full-time student.

Award amounts vary up to $5,000. Your award is based on your financial need and academic situation. You may receive one FAMILY Fund Grant per calendar year.

Available as a one-time award only. Award amounts range up to $2,000, though most awards are under $500. Intended to cover specific, short-term expenses, such as: Other costs that support program participation or completion May also be used for short-term training programs that are not eligible for the FAMILY Fund Grant.

NOTE: If you have already received a FAMILY Fund Grant, you may only apply for a One-Time Grant if you experience a significant life change (such as a serious injury or becoming a parent) that greatly changes your financial situation. Application materials and instructions are provided to eligible students by a JFS Program Specialist. To get started, complete the Education Funding Inquiry Form .

After you submit the form, a JFS Program Specialist will: Provide application materials if you are eligible. In addition to helping with FAMILY Fund applications, JFS Program Specialists can also: Help you explore other financial aid options. Connect you to other resources that fit your needs.

When will I know if I received a grant? You will be notified by email approximately three weeks after the application window closes. If you need to make loan decisions before then, email your JFS Program Specialist at Hamil-TAY@jfs.

ohio. gov to request your application be reviewed as soon as possible. You are also encouraged to speak with your school’s financial aid office, as they may be able to adjust loan timelines or amounts.

To check your application status at any time, visit: https://www. hcjfs. org/initiatives/family-fund/Educational_Funding_Status_Check Enter your Confirmation Number to view your status.

How do I access my awarded funds? To use your funds, you must submit an Award Utilization Form to Hamil-TAY@jfs. ohio.

gov . If you receive a grant, you will be provided the Award Utilization Form. Please allow a couple of weeks for processing after submission.

How will I receive my funds? Funds are paid directly to your school or training program. Payments are typically split, with half distributed each semester after you submit your Award Utilization Form.

If you attend school year-round or are nearing the end of other aid (such as ETV or federal aid), notify your JFS Program Specialist ( Hamil-TAY@jfs. ohio. gov ).

Distribution timing may be adjusted. In some cases, your school may adjust other financial aid if your total aid exceeds your cost of attendance. This could result in changes to loans or other aid you have received.

If your grant creates a surplus in your student account, your school may refund the remaining balance to you. However, if your total aid exceeds your cost of attendance AND you have a federal loan, your school may reduce your loan amount instead. If you have questions or run into an issue, contact your JFS Program Specialist, What can the grant be used for?

Grant funds may be used for expenses that support your education or training, including: Books and school supplies. Lab uniforms and supplies. Testing and licensure fees.

Tools or equipment for technical or vocational programs. Can my award amount change or not be distributed? Yes.

Your award may be adjusted or not distributed based on changes such as: Receiving additional financial aid. Changing your enrollment level (e.g., number of credit hours). NOTE: Your funds may not be distributed if your JFS Program Specialist does not receive verification of your enrollment for each academic period.

Do I have to repay the grant? No. FAMILY Fund grants do not need to be repaid. Do my grant funds expire?

Yes. You have one year from the award date to use your funds, as long as you: Are in good academic standing at your institution. NOTE: If funds are not used within one year from the award date, they will be returned to the grant pool.