State College Tuition and Fee Waiver for Foster and Adopted Youth
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
Free tuition and fees at Texas public colleges for youth currently or formerly in DFPS foster care, and those adopted from DFPS -- including dual credit.
- How much
- full tuition and fees for formula-funded courses at Texas public colleges
- Who qualifies
- Current or former foster youth in Texas DFPS conservatorship, or adopted from DFPS with an adoption assistance agreement
- Not required to be a Texas resident when awarded (per THECB). Selective Service registration or exemption. Covers dual-credit courses. Each public college has a Foster Care Student Liaison.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, grad students, trade school students
- When to apply
- Apply any time No deadline; must enroll before your 27th birthday (foster-care route).
- How to apply
- Request DFPS Form 1810 (Verification of the State College Tuition and Fee Waiver) from your PAL worker or DFPS Adoption Eligibility staff, then give it to your college's registrar or financial aid office
- You don't have to reapply each year
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (statutes.capitol.texas.gov), page 2, page 3 and page 4
The details
Exempts eligible students from tuition and fees (including lab fees and dual-credit courses) at any Texas public college or university, for any program of study (undergraduate, graduate or doctoral). Two statutes: TEC 54.366 covers youth who were in Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship the day before their 18th birthday, on/after their 14th birthday if eligible for adoption, on the day they graduated high school/got a GED, the day before adoption or permanent managing conservatorship to a non-parent (on/after Sept 1, 2009), or while taking a dual-credit course -- and certain youth returned to a parent per DFPS rule. TEC 54.367 covers adopted students who were subject to an adoption assistance agreement with monthly payments and Medicaid. Foster-care-route students must first enroll before age 27 (adopted-assistance students: any age). Once eligible, the exemption continues indefinitely, without a GPA or excessive-hours cutoff.
More money from Texas
- Dell Scholars Program$20,000 flexible scholarship + laptop, book credits, emergency funds, teletherapy
- TEXAS Grant (Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success)up to $5,399 per semester (2026-27 max; up to $16,197/yr with summer); target $2,500 per semester
- Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)up to $2,134/semester (community colleges), $3,896/semester (technical institutes), $1,840/semester (state colleges) in 2026-27
- Texas First Scholarship$10,798 (graduate 2+ semesters early) or $5,399 (less than 2 semesters early), 2026-27
- Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG)up to $4,270 per year; up to $6,405 per year for undergraduates with exceptional need (2026-27)
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma
- 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.