Despite high aspirations, youth formerly in foster care may face significant barriers (e.g., academic preparedness, adult mentoring) to obtaining a postsecondary credential. Better understanding the relationship between affordability and postsecondary access for youth formerly in foster care (YFFC) merits attention from researchers because finances often present a barrier to success for this population of students. This exploratory study asks the question: What factors influenced whether YFFC received financial aid and do those factors change over time? Using event history analysis and national longitudinal data on foster care and youth outcomes, we explore what factors impact whether a YFFC receives financial aid. [Note: The publication date (Oct 2021) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct publication date for v52 n1 is Mar 2023.]