The Tuition Waiver eliminates financial barriers, making higher education more accessible and affordable for you. By covering the cost of tuition, this waiver empowers you to pursue your academic and professional goals without the burden of overwhelming debt. It opens doors to a wide range of educational opportunities, allowing you to focus on your studies and personal development. The Tuition Waiver is a crucial tool in promoting equity and inclusion in higher education, ensuring that your lived experiences and financial constraints do not hinder your ability to achieve your full potential.

Program Benefits

• Covers tuition and fees for undergraduate, graduate, and professional school classes.
• No limit on the number of credit hours or type of courses

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must meet one of the following criteria:

Adopted Youth

• You were adopted from state care after May 5, 1997.

Foster Youth

• You were in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) when you turned 18.
• You were placed in a guardianship by the court after reaching age 16 and spent at least 6 months in DCF custody.
• You were in the custody of a relative when you turned 18.
• You turned 14, spent at least 18 months in foster care, and then reunited with your parent(s) before turning 18. You may be eligible for benefits if you qualify for a Pell Grant

Guardianship

• You were placed in permanent guardianship and stayed in it until you turned 18 or started school before then, even if your caregiver wasn’t in the Relative Caregiver Program.

Helpful Tips

• Always keep a copy on hand.
• Keep updated on any changes to the waiver program or eligibility requirements.
• Look for additional grants and scholarships that can cover other expenses like books and supplies.
• This program is available until you reach your 28th birthday.

For more information or assistance with the Tuition Waiver, reach out to the Office of Continuing Care (OCC) at 850-300-HOPE (4673) for more help figuring out how to pay for school.