Current and Former Foster Care
Thank you for choosing our institution as the place to further your education. We value you as a student and would like to offer resources to help with your educational journey.
Tuition and Fee Exemption
Although it does not cover health insurance, this program exempts payment of tuition and fees. Students must submit a copy of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services letter validating their eligibility to Student Business Services.
- Must meet the enrollment eligibility requirements before the age of 25*. However, students are not required to receive the exemption before the age of 25. Requirements can be found on the DFPS State Tuition Waiver website.
- Must be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt. Proof can be retrieved from the Selective Service Registration website: www.sss.gov/.
- Not required to be Texas residents when awarded, as long as they meet the DFPS program requirements.
- Not required to demonstrate financial need.
- Those who meet the enrollment eligibility requirements can receive the exemption while attempting any program of study offered at an eligible institution (i.e. undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree).
- Enroll and be admitted at an eligible institution in Texas
- Request a tuition exemption approval letter (Form 1810) from DFPS staff. The form is issued by DFPS by mail or email.
- Eligible student submits Form 1810 to the institution.
- Institution verifies enrollment eligibility in the tuition exemption program.
- Institution verifies each year that the student remains eligible. (The student does not have to reapply each year.)
- Students Under Conservatorship of DFPS - TEC, Section 54.366
- Adopted Students Formerly in Foster Care - TEC, Section 54.367
- Tuition and Fee Waiver for Youth Returning to a Parent - 40 TAC, Section 700.1630
- DFPS: State College Tuition Waiver
Campus Resources
- Apply to our Programs: Find information on specific schools and their programs, degrees and certificates, deadlines and required documents.
- Student Financial Aid: Apply for federal/state student aid, short term or emergency loans, and find scholarship information.
- TTUHSC Helping Hands Food Pantry: The Helping Hands Food Pantry is dedicated to ensuring that no member of the TTUHSC family goes hungry and that every member of our family has access to nutritious food.
- TTUHSC Counseling Center: Receive support through the Program of Assistance for Students with resources on campus or via telehealth. Additional wellness and mental health resources are available as well.
- Veterans Resource Center: Assists veterans and military families with accessing benefits and resources available.
- Student Life: Get involved by joining a student organization or attending various events hosted throughout the year. We also offer information on the student health insurance available through the school.
- Registrar: Services include web registration, degree audits, enrollment verification and maintaining student records.
External Resources
- Foster Care Transition Toolkit: The US Department of Education released a toolkit to support current and former foster youth in pursuing college and career opportunities. The Toolkit includes tips and resources to help foster youth as they transition into adulthood.
- Transition Centers: Transition centers serve current and former foster youth located in every DFPS region and have partnerships with local higher education institutions and vocational/technical colleges.
- Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program: The ETV program is a federally funded program designed to assist eligible youth and young adults currently or formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS.