Independent Living Act Tuition Waiver (Foster Care Tuition Waiver)
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Resident tuition waiver at Oklahoma public colleges for young people who were in DHS custody for at least nine months between ages 16 and 18, usable up to age 26.
- How much
- Resident tuition (fees not covered)
- Who qualifies
- Former foster youth: in Oklahoma DHS custody at least nine months between ages 16 and 18
- Oklahoma resident; graduated HS (or GED) within the previous three years; enrolled at an Oklahoma public college/university or eligible tech center program; under age 26.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; available until age 26 or a bachelor's degree.
- How to apply
- Contact your college's financial aid office and OKDHS (program manager listed in OSRHE materials) to document DHS custody
- OSRHE's student information line is 800.858.1840
- What you'll need
- See how to apply
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (secure.okcollegestart.org) and page 2
The details
Created by the Independent Living Act (2000). Eligible students are Oklahoma residents who were in Department of Human Services custody for at least nine months between ages 16 and 18, and who graduated within the previous three years from an accredited Oklahoma high school, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics or an approved bordering-state high school, or completed the GED. Must enroll at a public college or university or certain technology center programs. The waiver covers resident tuition for all courses charged resident tuition; the student pays other fees (special course, activity, facility, assessment fees). Available until age 26 or completion of a bachelor's degree or program certificate.
More money from Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award (formerly Academic Scholars Program)Per year, entry year 2026 automatic qualifiers: $24,000 (research universities), $13,000 (regional), $12,500 (community/two-year colleges); institutional nominees: $4,000 / $3,200 / $3,000; plus a tuition waiver at public colleges
- State Regents Workforce Ready ScholarshipOne-time: $7,000 (research institutions), $5,000 (regional), $3,000 (two-year)
- Chiropractic Education Scholarship ProgramUp to $6,000 per year (varies with appropriation)
- Regional University Baccalaureate Scholarship$3,500 per year plus a resident tuition waiver
- Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant (OTAG)The lesser of 75% of enrollment costs or up to $1,500 (community colleges and career tech centers), $2,000 (regional universities), $3,000 (research universities) per year
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas
- 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.