S. 4314 — Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026

This section expands eligibility for the Chafee education and training voucher (ETV) program—under which states provide vouchers of up to $5,000 annually to assist eligible former foster youth with postsecondary education, training, and related costs—by (1) applying it to youth who experienced foster care at age 14 or older (previously, those who aged out of foster care); and (2) lowering the minimum age for initial foster care involvement from 16 to 14. The section further revises program parameters by (1) limiting voucher use to no more than 5 years (or 6 years for youth participating in specified remedial education) (previously, 5 years maximum); and (2) expanding allowable uses to include costs of attendance at institutions of higher education (including community colleges and postsecondary vocational institutions), short-term Workforce Pell-eligible training programs, registered apprenticeships, obtaining a GED, and remedial education (previously, limited to higher education costs). The section also defines remedial education (i.e., non-free instruction by credentialed providers to support high school completion or postsecondary/apprenticeship eligibility) and registered apprenticeship (i.e., programs registered under the National Apprenticeship Act).

This section increases the maximum annual education and training voucher (ETV) amount under the Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood to $12,000 (from $5,000) for eligible current and former foster youth pursuing postsecondary education or training (generally ages 18-23). It further permits states to establish a grace period—after assessment and consultation with the youth—for continued participation in such activities under reasonable circumstances and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with youth who have experienced foster care, to issue model guidance to states on implementing the grace period.

This section amends the John H. Chafee Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (i.e., which provides education and training vouchers of up to $5,000 annually to eligible current and former foster youth) by (1) requiring states to make reasonable efforts to ensure eligible youth are aware of voucher benefits, including by coordinating with programs funded under subsection (h)(1); (2) requiring a simplified, user-tested standard application form using standard terminology that is easily accessible and available electronically; and (3) authorizing use of program funds to help eligible youth overcome transportation barriers to postsecondary education, workforce training, registered apprenticeships, or employment. The section also revises permissible uses of state allotments to explicitly include outreach related to youth awareness efforts.