Academic Waiver Requirements - Foster Care Alumni Support Program
Tuition and Fees Waiver Letter
Some students formerly in the Texas’ foster care system qualify for the College Tuition
and Fee Waiver. It provides exemptions from payment of tuition and fees at a Texas
state supported college or university to individuals formerly in Texas state foster
care and adopted youth. To be exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, youth
or young adults must have been or currently in DFPS conservatorship. Find out more
about the Waivers Eligibility and Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements for
Adopted Alumni.
For current or former foster care students under the Conservatorship of the TDFPS, tuition and fees for courses for which the college receives tax support and it has
been determined eligible for the benefit and has enrolled in higher education, the
benefit continues indefinitely. There are no durational limitations in statute referencing
how many semesters or years a student may receive this exemption.
Senate Bill 1210 (83rd Texas Legislature, Regular Session) added a Grade Point Average (at least a 2.0 GPA) requirement only for those adopted students subject to an adoption assistance agreement to receive continuation awards through
the program.
The Bill also establishes a Limit to the Total Number of Hours, cumulative, that a student may take and continue to receive awards through this
program. This became effective the fall of 2014.
Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Centers
To find out more about your Tuition and Fee Waiver Letter from TDFPS, contact the
Lead PAL Staff in your region. [Contact Information is Available Here]
Exemption Information
If you are an Alumni and are not sure about the location or region contact the main
office of DFPS at 512-919-7965 (adopted) and 512-438-3312 (foster).
Education Training Voucher (ETV)
The ETV is federally funded and is a state administered program for youth in foster
care or those adopted from DFPS after turning age 16. It is available to youth (including
dual credit students) starting at age 16 up to the age of 23. Expenses like books,
transportation, and other school-related costs are covered through the ETV. Students
may be eligible to receive up to $5,000 in financial assistance per year to support
them in reaching their post-secondary education goals. Find out more at [ETV program on-line here].
Admissions to ACC
Notice: All Alumni that apply for the Education Training Voucher must apply for Federal Student Aid at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. This will require one to start the admission process at ACC as early as possible. Click here to get started.