Program Purpose
To provide college financial assistance to students who were in foster care when they turned 18 years of age. (See also Adopted Students Formerly in Foster or Other Residential Care)
Eligibility Requirements
For fall, 2009:
(a) A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized in this chapter if the student:
1) was in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services:
A. on the day preceding the student's 18th birthday;
B. on or after the day of the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day; or
C. on the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; or
D. on the day preceding:
i. the date the student is adopted, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; or
ii. the date permanent managing conservatorship of the student is awarded to a person other than the student’s parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; and
2) enrolls in an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student not later than the student's 25th birthday.
Starting spring, 2010:
(a) A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized in this chapter, including tuition and fees charged by an institution of higher education for a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit, if the student:
3) was under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services:
A. on the day preceding the student's 18th birthday;
B. on or after the day of the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day; or
C. on the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; or
D. on the day preceding:
i. the date the student is adopted, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; or
ii. the date permanent managing conservatorship of the student is awarded to a person other than the student’s parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009;
E. during an academic term in which the student was enrolled in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit; and
4) enrolls in an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student or in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit not later than the student's 25th birthday.
Eligible Institutions
Available only for use at a Texas public college or university.
To access listings of Texas public colleges and universities, follow the links to Texas Public Institutions.
Award Amount
Tuition and fees, not including property deposit fees, for courses for which the college receives tax support; however, once a student has been determined eligible for the benefit, the benefit continues indefinitely. There are no durational limitations in statute referencing how many semesters or years a student may receive this exemption.
Application Process
Provide the college registrar written proof, from the Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS), of eligibility.
Additional Information
Contact your college for additional information.
- To read more about this program check out:
Texas Education Code §54.211 or visit www.texasyouthconnection.org.
- Contact Us!