PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver (FosterED) Program

The PA FosterED program was created by Act 16 of 2019 and amended by Act 49 of 2019.  The program mandates that postsecondary institutions in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania waive tuition and mandatory fees for youth or are or were in foster care. The PA FosterED program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary education institutions located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for youth who are or were in foster care. Tuition and mandatory fees do not include room and board charges, books, supplies, parking, or any other indirect charges.  

Please note this waiver only applies to charges that remain after all other gift aid such as federal, state, and other scholarships or grants have been applied. 

 

Eligibility Requirements:

In order to qualify for the waiver the student must:

• Be a resident of Pennsylvania
• 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 Second 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 is or was in foster care, or was discharged from foster care on or after attaining age 16, OR has exited foster care on or after age 16 to adoption or permanent legal guardianship
• 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 federal student loan or owe a refund on other Title IV aid
• Have not received a FosterEd waiver for 5 year (consecutive or not), defined as 10 semesters or the equivalent for undergraduate study

How to participate:

• File a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by May 1st each year at studentaid.gov
• Enroll in a PA postsecondary institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV funding
• Apply for and be eligible for the Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program

Fostering Independence Brochure 

For questions, please contact:

Karen Cole, Associate Director of Financial Aid

Misericordia University

301 Lake Street

Dallas, PA 18612

Phone: 570-674-6701

Fax: 570-674-3063

Email: kcole@misericordia.edu

 

Please note, if a student intends to transfer to a different institution during the academic year, they should notify the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) via email to FosterEd@pheaa.org.