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Adolescent Education Services

The Department of Children and Families is committed to ensuring the youth in its care are able to pursue higher education and vocational training to achieve their potential. State and federally funded programs are available exclusively to youth in DCF care, as well as sponsored adoptive and guardianship homes to help finance post-secondary education.

For questions contact youth.support@mass.gov.

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DCF Higher Education Resources for Foster Youth

DCF College Fair

  • Start thinking about college early! DCF holds an annual College Fair to get foster youth thinking about post-secondary education as early as middle school. All students in foster care are encouraged to attend this yearly event, typically held during April school vacation week. Students will be able to meet with college admission officers to learn about academic supports, activities, and resources available through community colleges, private colleges, state universities, and the UMass system. Information on financial aid resources will also be available. For more information please contact your social worker.

DCF Area Office Educational Open Houses

  • Planning for college can lead to many questions, especially for foster youth and foster parents. What is the FAFSA? How much does college cost? Where would I live? What happens to my case with DCF? DCF is here to help with those questions and many more that come up during this time of college planning. Each winter, after the New Year every DCF Area Office (28 locations) holds an open house that is staffed by an Adolescent Outreach who will meet with you to answer all your vital questions. Adolescent Outreach workers offer information on the FAFSA, financial aid planning, the admissions process, and DCF academic and financial support that can lead to a successful higher education experience.

On Campus College Advising and Support

  • Every semester DCF holds on campus advising sessions across the State for foster youth. Networks of support have been built on campuses all across Massachusetts to include financial aid staff, student accounts, housing, health services and counseling and much more. Students have the opportunity to meet with a ETV Worker to review any and all topics related to their education. DCF continues to recruit ongoing supports on campus so that all foster youth have access to a caring and compassionate staff person who is always on their campus to help. If you are looking for a support person on campus DCF can help you find one while also connecting you to other DCF resources. On campus advising sessions have also been a great way for foster youth to connect with other foster youth on your campuses. For more information on when a DCF ETV Social Worker will be on your campus or a campus near you please call Judy Han (617) 748-2309.

DCF Student ETV e-Newsletter

  • The ETV newsletter is an opportunity to engage students and assist them in their academic and personal growth on campus. The newsletter is sent out twice a year to students with information on financial aid, scholarships, community partnerships, and campus resources. Up to date information on adolescent services within the Department of Children and Families is also provided to students. The ETV newsletter allows communication between students and ETV specialists throughout the year, providing them with support during their academic development. To subscribe to the Student ETV e-Newsletter please email youth.support@mass.gov.

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