NACAC | Adoption Subsidy

A significant post adoptive service offered by states is the waiver or payment of college tuition on behalf of adopted children who were once in foster care.

Florida	Children who are in foster care, receiving independent living services, or who are adopted from the Department of Children and Families after December 31, 1997 are exempt from all undergraduate fees, including registration, matriculation, and laboratory fees associated with enrollment in college preparatory instruction and completion of the college level communication and computation skills testing program in the State Community College System, the State University System, and other adult general education programs.
Kentucky	Tuition and mandatory fees for any public postsecondary institution, including all four year universities and colleges and institutions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, shall be waived for a Kentucky foster or adopted child who is a full-time student. [KRS 164:2847]
Maine	Any person who was in the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services and resided in foster care or subsidized adoptive care or was a minor ward of a subsidized permanency guardian as provided in Title 22, section 4038-D at the time that person graduated from high school or successfully completed a general educational development examination or its equivalent under section 257 may attend, as provided in this section, any state postsecondary educational institution free of tuition charges.
Maryland	Maryland offers the Maryland Waiver, which allows children who meet certain criteria to attend college in Maryland. To be eligible for the waiver you must meet the following criteria: Be a Maryland resident Be in a foster care placement at the time you are graduating high school, or successfully completed your GED or adopted after your 14th birthday. Attend a college in Maryland, the waiver does not pay for a training program, nor does it cover the cost of books and or transportation. Applicant must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Waiver is good for 5 years after first year enrolling.
Massachusetts	On June 22, 2000, the Board of Higher Education voted to provide a tuition waiver for children adopted through the Department of Social Services. Any child adopted by a resident of Massachusetts or an employee of the Commonwealth is eligible and will have 100% of the tuition for state-supported undergraduate courses waiver until the person reaches their 25th birthday. This benefit applies to all state colleges and universities, as well as community colleges. A copy of the person’s birth certificate must accompany the request. http://www.osfa.mass.edu/default.asp?page=adoptedChildWaiver
Texas	As of September 1, 2003, a student is exempt from the payment of college tuition and fees at state supported colleges and universities if the student was adopted AND was the subject of an adoption assistance agreement between the adoptive parents and DFPS (under Subchapter D, Chapter 162, of the Texas Family Code) Please note that any child adopted and who was the subject of an adoption assistance agreement between the adoptive parents and DFPS before September 1, 2003 is eligible, as well as any person in the future meeting this requirement.
Virginia	Children must have been in foster care. For special needs children. Legislation passed in the 2000 session. Go to: www.vccs.edu/Students/TuitionGrant/tabid/413/Default.aspx

Connecticut	The Connecticut legislature approved funds in 2005/06 indefinitely, for any child adopted from the DCF foster care system after 12/31/04, to assist that child and their parent with the cost of post secondary education. DCF will provide financial assistance towards the cost for any degree/accredited program after high school that the adopted child is accepted into, provided it is full time status, up to the annual cost of the University of Connecticut, including tuition, fees, room and board, at any school. More information can be obtained from the DCF Subsidy Unit.
Delaware	Offers a scholarship program for former foster children. Adopted children can apply but family income is considered. The DE Legislature budgeted $50,000 in 2001.
District of Columbia	Offers a scholarship program for children adopted from the District's foster care system after Oct. 1, 2000. Covers vocational training, as well as college funding.
Illinois	DFS has statutory authority to award up to 48 scholarships per year to children who are in substitute care, who have been adopted and prior to their adoption were under the Department's legal responsibility, or who are in subsidized guardianship living arrangements.
Michigan	Michigan offers the Tuition Incentive Program (TIP) that helps pay college tuition and mandatory fees for students from low-income families. Eligibility includes students who: (1) are identified as Medicaid eligible by the Department of Human Services; (2) apply before graduation from high school or receiving a GED; and (3) are under age 20 at the time of graduation or GED completion. Families should call 877-323-2287 for more information. The TIP web site is www.MI-StudentAid.org.
New Jersey	New Jersey offers a College Scholarship program for foster and adopted youth. Adopted children over the age of 12 are eligible. The program is managed by Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), 800-222-0047 (ask for the scholarship department), email at scholarship@FAFSonline.org, or on the web at www.fafsonline.org/Scholarship.html
Oklahoma	If students are enrolled in Oklahoma Higher Education Access Program (OHLAP) during the 8th, 9th or 10th grade year of their education, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and meet behavioral requirements (i.e., drug free and violence free at school), tuition expenses are handled at any public Oklahoma State College or University. OHLAP has a family income component, but this is waived for foster youth. Once the youth is enrolled in the program, they are eligible even if they are adopted and the adoptive family has a higher income. We are diligent in trying to enroll our foster youth the minute they reach the 8th grade.
Oregon	Children who were a ward of the court and in the legal custody of the state for at least 12 months between age 16 and 21 are able to apply for the Former Foster Children Scholarship. More information is available from 800-452-8807 x 7395

Each year, more than 25,000 youth attempt to make the transition from foster care to self-sufficiency as they reach age 18. Only half finish high school, and about 11 percent go on to college or vocational education much lower rates than the national averages. Through a new post-secondary education scholarship program, The Casey Family Programs will provide up to $10,000 per year to youth under the age of 25 who have spent at least 12 months in foster care and were not subsequently adopted.

The awards will be renewable each year, based on satisfactory progress and financial need. The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) will administer the program, and the recipients will also receive ongoing support through OFA¹s E-Mentor Program. OFA scholarship coordinators will match each student with a trained, screened adult who will interact with the student via e-mail, letters, and phone calls on a weekly basis to address specific issues faced by young people without parental support, including money management and life skills.