PA Fostering Independence

Pennsylvania Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program

The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, created by Act 16 of 2019, provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the Commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care. The waiver applies only to charges that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account. Waivers can be used for up to five academic years or until the age of 26.

In order to be considered for a Fostering Independence Tuition Wavier, you must:

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Be a current resident of Pennsylvania at the start and during the term for which the waiver is awarded.
  • Have not reached the age of 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year for which the FosterEd waiver is received.
  • Have graduated from high school or have 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 is 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 in PA.
  • Have unmet cost for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG), as determined by the postsecondary institution.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by the institution.
  • Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on other Title IV aid.
  • File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) for the academic year for which the waiver is being requested.
  • File an application for Chafee ETG.
  • Have not previously received a waiver for five (5) years (consecutive or not), defined as ten (10) semesters or the equivalent, for undergraduate study.

The full eligibility criteria can be found at the PHEAA website

How to apply:

PHEAA
State Grant and Special Programs
P.O. Box 8157
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157

Fax: (717) 720-3786

If you have questions about the Chafee Education and Training Grant, please call PHEAA at 1-800-692-7392 or visit their website www.pheaa.org

P.I.T. Point of Contact:

Laura Blomgren
Vice President of Enrollment Management
lblomgren@pit.edu
610-892-1536