Do I qualify for the Tuition and Fee Waiver?

You qualify for the Tuition and Fee Waiver, if you were in DFPS conservatorship:

The day before your 18th birthday.
The day of your 14th birthday, if you are also eligible for adoption on or after that day.
The day you graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma.
The day you were adopted, if that date was on or after September 1, 2009.
The day Permanent Managing Conservatorship was granted to a non-parent, if that date was on or after September 1, 2009.
You were 14 years or older on or after June 1, 2016 and left DFPS's Permanent Managing Conservatorship return to the legal responsibility of a parent.
You were 16 years or older on or after June 1, 2016 and left DFPS Temporary Managing Conservatorship to the legal responsibility of a parent.
You enrolled in a dual credit course or other course which a high-school student may earn joint high school and college credit, and were in DFPS conservatorship on the day of enrollment.

Note: You must have enrolled in a state supported college or university before your 25th birthday.

The THECB Tuition and Fee Waiver video describes the eligibility criteria and how it can be used. The video was designed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board partnered with Sam Houston State University, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), and other Texas agencies.

How do I get a Tuition and Fee Waiver letter?

State PAL staff or Adoption Eligibility Assistance staff will give you a signed college Tuition and Fee Waiver letter to take to the school registrar's office. Participation in PAL services are not required to be eligible for the tuition and fee waiver.

What other services are available?

Transitional Living Services - The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) provides Chafee Foster Care Independence Program services through its Transitional Living Services programs. Transitional services are multipurpose and available to youth ages 14 up to 23. Transitional living services include, Circles of Support, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), Education and Training Vouchers (ETV), College tuition and fee waivers, Extended Foster Care, and other related services and support of young people 16 to 21 or up to 22 years of age who are currently or formerly in foster care, or transitioning out of care.

Youth Housing Program - The DFPS Youth Housing Program provides information to help youth transitioning from foster care to successful adulthood, including housing and rental assistance options. For eligible young adults (18 years of age up to 24), housing rental assistance programs should be a top priority.

*FAQ information retrieved from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) website.

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