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.  

This waiver covers charges that remain after other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) is applied to the eligible student's account.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be considered for a FosterEd waiver, you must:

• File a 2025-26 FAFSA
• 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, after attaining 16 years of age, exited foster care to adoption or permanent legal custodianship
• 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 FosterEd waivers 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

Students who intend to transfer to a different institution during the 2025-26 academic year should notify PHEAA via email to FosterEd@pheaa.org or by calling 1-800-692-7392.

How to Receive the Waiver:

1. File the FAFSA at studentaid.gov
2. File your PA State Grant application items for the award year in which you requested the waiver.

3. Submit a Chafee ETG Application by May 1, 2026.

4. Enroll in a PA postsecondary institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV funding.

5. Mail or fax your completed application to:

PHEAA

PA State Grant and Special Programs

P.O. Box 8157

Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

Fax: 717-720-3786

 

Students who wish to appeal their eligibility determination can do so by emailing FosterEd@pheaa.org.

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