Tuition Waivers

Students under the age of 25, in or previously in an out-of-home placement in Maryland by the Maryland Department of Human Services, and attending a Maryland public college or university, are eligible to apply.

You must have been placed in an out-of-home placement by the Maryland Department of Human Services, and you must also meet one of the following:

• Resided in an out-of-home placement on your 18th birthday, at the time of your high school graduation, or upon successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) examination
• Resided in an out-of-home placement for at least one year on or after your 13th birthday and entered into guardianship, been adopted, or reunited with at least one parent
• Been the younger sibling of an individual meeting the qualifications above, and concurrently placed into the same guardianship by the same parent, or adopted by the same adoptive family as your older sibling

All majors are eligible to apply, including both credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing courses.

To qualify for the Foster Care Tuition Waiver, you must:

• Complete and file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the MHEC One App each year
• Be enrolled on or before you turn 25
• Remain eligible for up to 10 years after first enrolling as a candidate for an associate, bachelor's, or vocational certificate at a Maryland public institution of higher education
• Be enrolled full time or part time in an associate, bachelor's, or vocational certificate program at a Maryland public institution of higher education, including non-credit courses taken to earn a vocational certificate

This waiver is available for the fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters.

This waiver exempts you from paying tuition and mandatory fees at a public college in Maryland, including all fees for credit-bearing and non-credit courses required as a condition of enrollment. Tuition does not include room, board, books, or transportation.

If you receive a scholarship or grant, it cannot be applied to your tuition under this waiver.

Tuition amounts are determined by each individual public institution and include tuition, registration fees, and all fees required as a condition of enrollment.

If you believe you may qualify, complete the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients form. Questions can be sent to financialaid@frederick.edu, and more information is available on Maryland.gov.