Arizona Tuition Waiver Scholarship for Foster Youth
Arizona Board of Regents and Arizona community college districts (A.R.S. 15-1809.01)
Tuition and mandatory fees waived at Arizona public universities and community colleges for current and former foster youth under 23.
- How much
- Tuition and mandatory fees, after other federal and public grants (ETV not deducted)
- Who qualifies
- Current or former foster youth (in foster care at 14 or older, or adopted from foster care after 14)
- Arizona resident; under 23; total personal assets under $10,000 (excluding scholarships and grants); accepted into or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at an ABOR university or Arizona community college; continuous progress toward a degree; 30 hours of volunteer service per year after the first year; good standing.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students, transfer students
- US citizen or noncitizen lawfully present in the US
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA required before each year; no fixed waiver deadline.
- How to apply
- File the FAFSA each year, get your foster care status verified (DCS Education Specialists: EducationSpecialist@azdcs.gov), and contact your university or community college's financial aid or foster youth support office
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (dcs.az.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
A.R.S. 15-1809.01. Each ABOR university and community college district must provide a tuition waiver scholarship (tuition and mandatory fees) to Arizona residents under 23 who are in foster care and at least 14, were in foster care at 14 or older, or were adopted from foster care after turning 14. It is reduced by other federal and public grants received through the school, but not by Education and Training Voucher (ETV) money from DCS. After the first year, recipients must complete at least 30 hours of volunteer service each academic year. Continues until age 23 or until an associate, bachelor's degree or certificate is earned, as long as criteria are met. Campus support programs (ASU Bridging Success, NAU Blavin Scholars / foster youth resources, U of A Fostering Success) help students claim it.
More money from Arizona
- Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP)Up to $2,500 per academic year; average award about $1,000 per year
- Arizona Financial Aid Trust (AFAT) GrantVaries by university; ASU states up to $4,000 per year
- Arizona Promise ProgramUp to the actual cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees and program fees after other financial aid
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: California, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.