Education and Employment Outcomes for the Education and Training Voucher Program

(2020) Education and Employment Outcomes for the Education and Training Voucher Program. College Student Aid Commission

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Abstract

Postsecondary attainment rates for former foster care youth are drastically lower than for those who were not in foster care. There are a number of financial support programs for former foster care youth, including the Education and Training Voucher (ETV). ETV is awarded to those who age out of the foster care system and attend a postsecondary institution, with eligibility lasting until age 23. ETV recipients are eligible for a maximum of $5,000 per year for up to four years. Each year in Iowa, there are typically 50 to 90 first-time ETV recipients. Here, we investigate the education and employment outcomes for former foster care youth from Iowa who were eligible for ETV and find that both being eligible for and receiving an ETV award are associated with positive and significant postsecondary and employment outcomes. Being eligible for an ETV award increased the likelihood of college enrollment by 8 percentage points. In addition, students who received an ETV award were 15 percentage points more likely to persist from year one to year two and 3 to 6 percentage points more likely to graduate. Four years after completing their postsecondary education, ETV recipients were 8 percentage points more likely to be employed in Iowa.