Tuition Waiver for Kentucky Foster and Adopted Youth
Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (KRS 164.2847)
Waives tuition and mandatory fees at any Kentucky public college or university for current and former foster youth and youth adopted from state care, for up to 150 credits or until age 28.
- How much
- Full tuition and mandatory fees at Kentucky public colleges for up to 150 credits or until age 28
- Who qualifies
- Current or former Kentucky foster youth, youth adopted from Kentucky state care, or eligible DJJ youth
- Must start within 4 years of HS diploma/GED; meet entrance requirements; maintain academic eligibility. Out-of-state eligible youth may receive up to in-state tuition.
- For students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time Per term; AHE 2027 lists July 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.
- How to apply
- Complete the Tuition Waiver for Foster & Adopted Children application and submit it to the college's bursar or financial aid office
- Your regional Independent Living Specialist (chafee.ilp@ky.gov, 800-232-5437) can help
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (manuals-sp-chfs.ky.gov), page 2 and page 3
The details
KRS 164.2847 waives tuition and mandatory student fees for undergraduate or graduate programs at Kentucky public universities and KCTCS colleges for students whose family receives state-funded adoption assistance, who are committed to CHFS and in foster care, in a CHFS-funded independent living program, were adopted from CHFS custody, were in CHFS custody on their 18th birthday, or were adjudicated dependent/neglected/abused and adopted by a relative; certain Department of Juvenile Justice youth qualify for undergraduate programs. Must begin within 4 years of high school graduation or GED. Good for up to 150 earned credits or until age 28. Part-time or full-time. Eligible youth living outside Kentucky can receive up to the in-state tuition amount. Must meet entrance requirements and keep academic eligibility.
More money from Kentucky
- Optometry Scholarship$15,000 per recipient (2026-27; varies yearly with funding)
- College Access Program (CAP) GrantUp to $2,500 at a two-year institution; up to $5,300 at a four-year institution (2026-27)
- Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG)Up to $3,300 for the 2026-27 academic year
- Early Graduation Scholarship CertificateOne-half of the state portion of the average per-pupil SEEK base guarantee for the graduation year (one-time)
- Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)Varies: $187-$500 per year of college for each high school year with a 2.75+ GPA, plus ACT/SAT bonus up to $500 and AP/IB/CAI supplements of $200-$300 per qualifying score (free/reduced lunch students)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
- 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.