Pennsylvania’s Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd)
Pennsylvania’s Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd) seeks to remove barriers to higher education for youth who are or have been in foster care. The program provides tuition and fee waivers for eligible youth. Eligible Pennsylvania foster care youth will have greater access to postsecondary education in the state and an opportunity to graduate with less debt.
The program is administered collaboratively by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Human Services, and Labor and Industry.
Questions about tuition waivers?
Call 800-692-7392 or visit PHEAA’s FosterEd webpage at
PHEAA: Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program
FosterEd Higher Education Point of Contact (POC)
Each postsecondary institution has a POC available to support eligible students throughout their college careers. Responsibilities of a POC include:
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all eligible individuals applying to or attending the institution.
- Assist in completing admissions and financial aid applications and identifying other scholarship and grant opportunities.
- Obtain verification of foster care status on or after age 16 if needed for program eligibility.
- Provide referrals for on and off-campus resources and support services.
Find the FosterEd Higher Education Point of Contact Directory here.
High school students can also seek assistance from their school district’s foster care POC, school counselor, caseworker, Independent Living (IL) coordinator, or other school district or agency staff for information about the program.
Additional Foster Care to College Resources
2019 Act 16 Legislation
State legislation outlining Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd.)
2020-21 Program Guidelines: PA Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd)
The program guidelines provide postsecondary institutions with the requirements for participation and administration of FosterEd for this program year. PHEAA will publish updates to this document if additional changes become necessary.
Campus Programming Directory for Foster Youth
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania has created a directory of Pennsylvania postsecondary institutions that provides information on institutional supports and programs that can assist students with experience in foster care.
College Application Timeline
A helpful timeline for Pennsylvania youth who have experienced the foster care system.
College Scholarships and Support for Higher Education
Youth in or aging out of foster care have access to financial help for higher education.
Foster Care Point of Contact Directory
The directory contains the following contacts and directories: LEA School Point of Contact, CCYA Education Liaison Directory, Regional Foster Care Office Directory, and Higher Education Point of Contact Directory.
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd) Point of Contact (POC) FAQ
This FAQ provides an overview of FosterEd for Higher Education Points of Contact (POC).
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (PDE)
The program is being administered collaboratively by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Human Services, and Labor and Industry.
Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (PHEAA)
The waiver program provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees charged by most postsecondary institutions located in the commonwealth for youth who are or were in foster care.
Higher Education Guide: Introduction (Juvenile Law Center)
This guide aims to provide information for advocates and supporters of youth in the child welfare system about how to leverage key resources available to youth with experience in foster care in Pennsylvania including the tuition waivers available through the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program.
Higher Education Point of Contact Directory
In higher education, single points of contact are designated safe and supportive college administrators committed to helping foster care youth successfully navigate the college-going process.
Resource Library by the Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice and Research
The Field Center for Children’s Policy, Practice & Research at the University of Pennsylvania has compiled a foster care to college resource library, focused on making higher education more accessible and successful for youth with experience in the foster care system.