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Tuition Waivers Available for Eligible PA Foster Care Youth
The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program seeks to help foster youth in Pennsylvania enter post-secondary education, such as community college or trade school. This will allow eligible foster youth to complete their studies, graduate with less debt and have the opportunity to build a network of support.
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) is also collaborating with this program in efforts to make it easier for foster youth in the transition from high school to college.
This waiver covers only tuition and mandatory fees, not room and board.
To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must meet the following criteria:
• Be a Pennsylvania resident.
• Be under age 26.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent approved credential.
• Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania’s John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.
• Be identified as a youth in foster care or a youth discharged from foster care at age 16 or older.
• Exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or permanent legal custodianship.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half-time in a post-secondary institution that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs.
• Demonstrate financial need for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG), as determined by the post-secondary institution.
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the post-secondary institution.
• Not in default on a federal student loan.
For more information on tuition waivers, visit PHEAA.