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S4314119th CongressWALLET

Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Daines, Steve [R-MT]

Introduced

Summary

Expands and strengthens education and workforce vouchers for youth who experienced foster care. It broadens who qualifies, raises the voucher cap, and lets funds pay for more postsecondary and training options to boost education and job prospects.

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  • Youth who experienced foster care: Eligible youth include those who were in foster care at age 14 or older. The maximum Education and Training Voucher rises from $5,000 to $12,000 and can now cover college, community college, short-term Workforce Pell training, registered apprenticeships, GEDs, and remedial education.
  • State and program access: States must make reasonable efforts to inform eligible youth and may use funds for outreach. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop model guidance with input from youth and require a simplified, user-tested standard electronic application form.
  • Education, training, and supports: The program explicitly covers institutions of higher education and postsecondary vocational programs, registered apprenticeships, credentialed remedial instruction, and transportation costs to attend training or work.

The amendments take effect one year after enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Bigger vouchers for foster youth

If enacted, the bill would raise the maximum education and training voucher cap from $5,000 to $12,000. Eligible youth would be able to use vouchers for college, community college, Workforce Pell short-term training, registered apprenticeships, GED costs, remedial education, and help with transportation. Remedial education must not duplicate free local or federal programs and must be taught by an instructor with relevant credentials. These changes would take effect one year after enactment.

Lower age to qualify for help

If enacted, the bill would expand who can qualify by changing eligibility language to youth who experienced foster care at age 14 or older. It would lower specific age thresholds from 16 to 14 in some program rules. These eligibility changes would take effect one year after enactment.

New rules, forms, and time limits

If enacted, States could set a grace period, after assessment and consultation with the youth, to let a youth continue certain program activities when reasonable. The bill would generally limit participation to not more than 5 years, but would allow more than 6 years for youth in specified remedial education. States would need to use a simplified, user-tested electronic application and must make reasonable efforts to tell eligible youth about benefits. HHS would develop model guidance with input from youth who experienced foster care. These changes would take effect one year after enactment.

One-year delay for program changes

If enacted, the bill's amendments would take effect one year after the date of enactment. States, program administrators, and eligible youth would have that one-year delay before the new rules and higher voucher amounts apply.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Daines, Steve [R-MT]

MT • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 4/16/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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