<p>Extended foster care (EFC) has become one of the most common interventions to positively impact the trajectories of young people transitioning from foster care, with every state, except Oklahoma, offering some form of EFC. Research supports that EFC is an effective intervention that improves youth outcomes in various areas; however, it is underutilized. Increasing the number of youth that choose to participate in EFC is crucial for improving outcomes; however, due to the variety of EFC policies being implemented across the country, there are gaps in our understanding regarding how young people make decisions regarding EFC particularly regarding how young people assess the novel characteristics of some non-federally funded EFC. This study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with 50 young people who were engaged in a state-initiated EFC program that provides direct financial stipends and various other supports like case management. Analysis revealed that young people’s perspectives on and decision-making regarding whether to engage in EFC services are greatly impacted by their perspectives on: (1) their experiences in traditional foster care, (2) the alignment between their needs and program offerings upon enrollment, and (3) the extent to which program offerings effectively meet their needs once they become participants. These findings highlight that to better support young people aging out of foster care to transition to adulthood, EFC programs must be devised in a manner that meets their needs in the areas of program design, advertisement, and implementation, particularly by differentiating from the traditional child welfare system and honoring young people’s self-determination.</p>