91茄子 is excited to implement and share information on The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, which provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students who are or were in the foster care system.
The allows eligible students who have been served by the foster care system to receive a university education, build a network of support, and reduce financial barriers. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and the Pennsylvania departments of Education (PDE), Human Services (DHS), and Labor & Industry (L&I), this program provides tuition waivers at postsecondary institutions, such as 91茄子, to program participants for up to five academic years or until they reach age 26.
This waiver applies only to charges (from tuition and mandatory fees) that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student鈥檚 account. Tuition and mandatory fees do not include room and board charges, books, supplies, parking, or any other indirect charges.
To be considered for a , you must:
- File a each academic year
- File PA State Grant items for the award year in which you requested the waiver
- Be a Pennsylvania resident
- 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 exited foster care to adoption or permanent legal custodianship (PLC) after age 16
- Have not reached age 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year in which the waiver will be awarded
- 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 in PA
- Demonstrate financial need for the waiver 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
- Have graduated from high school or received a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma
When you apply for the Chafee ETG Program, you will be evaluated to determine if you also qualify for the FosterEd Program. Applicants for the 2025-26 FosterEd waiver (including consideration for the 2026 Summer) should submit the 2025-26 Chafee ETG application by May 1, 2026.
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid ().
- File your items for the award year in which you requested the waiver.
- Submit a .
- Be admitted to and enroll in a PA postsecondary institution approved by the U.S. Department
of Education for Title IV funding - such as 91茄子.
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Mail or fax your completed application to:
PHEAA
PA State Grant and Special Programs
P.O. Box 8157
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157Fax: 717-720-3786
Students are not required to be awarded the Chafee Grant to be considered for the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver.
Students who intend to transfer to a different institution during an academic year should notify PHEAA via email to FosterEd@pheaa.org email link or by calling 1-800-692-7392.
Students who wish to appeal their eligibility determination can do so by emailing FosterEd@pheaa.org email link.
You must complete a renewal FAFSA each year.
Students who received a grant during the 2024-25 academic year through the Chafee ETG Program do not need to complete an application for 2025-26.
Students who received a grant during the 2024-25 academic year and transferred to a different institution for the 2025-26 academic year should notify PHEAA via email to paetg@pheaa.org email link or by calling 1-800-692-7392.