Tuition Waiver for Wards of the State (Foster Youth)
Utah public colleges and universities (Utah Code 53H-11-302); administered and reimbursed by the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS)
Utah public colleges waive resident tuition for up to nine semesters for young adults (17-26) who spent at least 24 months in DCFS custody with a long-term foster care goal and were not adopted.
- How much
- Resident tuition, up to nine semesters (last-dollar after Pell and scholarships)
- Who qualifies
- former foster youth (Utah DCFS custody, long-term foster care goal, not adopted)
- Age 17-26; 24+ months in DCFS custody; first apply before 22; Utah resident; certified as needing the waiver; no bachelor's degree.
- For students starting college, undergrads, trade school students
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
- When to apply
- Apply any time No fixed annual deadline; first application to DCFS must be before age 22.
- How to apply
- Apply to DCFS (Utah Division of Child and Family Services) for the tuition waiver before age 22 with proof of 24+ months in custody
- Complete the FAFSA
- The college financial aid office certifies need and applies the waiver
- What you'll need
- state application + FAFSA
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (le.utah.gov) and page 2
The details
Utah Code 53H-11-302: a 'ward of the state' is someone 17-26 years old who had a permanency goal of long-term foster care while in DCFS custody and whose custody did not end by adoption. Public institutions must waive resident tuition if the student: is admitted to a degree or certificate program (full-time, part-time or summer); is a Utah resident student; applies to DCFS and proves at least 24 months (aggregate) in DCFS custody; first applies before age 22; is certified by the college's financial aid officer as needing the waiver; keeps satisfactory academic progress; has no bachelor's degree and has received the waiver for fewer than 124 semester / 180 quarter credits. Up to nine semesters. Applied after the student applies for other aid (including Pell) and only for tuition not covered by other aid.
More money from Utah
- Opportunity ScholarshipClass of 2026: up to $800 per semester for up to four semesters ($3,200 total); tuition and general fees only, after other state aid. Class of 2027 amount not yet announced.
- First Credential Scholarship (formerly PRIME)$625 one-time (class of 2026; subject to available funding and number of qualified applicants)
- Adult Learner Grant ProgramUp to the cost of attendance
- CTE Scholarships and Tuition Awards$1,000 to full tuition for up to one year, depending on the institution
- NASA Space Grant Scholarship (Utah technical colleges)Varies based on available funding; up to cost of attendance
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming
- 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.