FosterEd Program

PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterEd) Program

The FosterEd Program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees for youth who are or were in foster care. The waiver applies only to tuition and fees that remain after all other gift aid, including federal, state and other scholarships or grants, have been applied to the student’s account.

To be considered for a FosterEd waiver, you must:

• Be a Pennsylvania resident
• Have not reached the age of 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year for which the FosterEd waiver is received
• Have received a high school diploma or received a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma
• Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania’s John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
• Be identified as a youth who has experienced foster care at age 16 or older or, after attaining 16 years of age, exited foster care to adoption or permanent legal custodianship (PLC)
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half time in a postsecondary 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 (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (as determined by the postsecondary institution)
• Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on other Title IV aid
• Have not received a FosterEd waiver for 5 years (consecutive or not), defined as 10 semesters or the equivalent for undergraduate study
• File a 2023-24 FAFSA at www.studentaid.gov
• Apply for and be eligible for the Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program.

Additional information is available at https://www.pheaa.org/funding-opportunities/other-educational-aid/foster-education.shtml