Wilkes University is excited to implement and share information on The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program, which provides a waiver for tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students who are or were in the foster care system.
The Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program external website allows eligible students who have been served by the foster care system to receive a university education, build a network of support, and reduce financial barriers. In collaboration with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) and the Pennsylvania departments of Education (PDE), Human Services (DHS), and Labor & Industry (L&I), this program provides tuition waivers at postsecondary institutions, such as Wilkes University, to program participants for up to five academic years or until they reach age 26.
This waiver applies only to charges (from tuition and mandatory fees) that remain after all other gift aid (federal, state, and other scholarships or grants) have been applied to the student’s account. Tuition and mandatory fees do not include room and board charges, books, supplies, parking, or any other indirect charges.
To be considered for a FosterEd Waiver external website, you must:
- File a FAFSA external websiteeach academic year
- File PA State Grant items for the award year in which you requested the waiver
- Be a Pennsylvania resident
- Have not reached age 26 by July 1 of the upcoming academic year in which the waiver will be awarded
- Have graduated from high school or received a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma
- Be eligible for services under Pennsylvania's John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood
- Be identified as a youth who has experienced foster care at age 16 or older or exited foster care to adoption or permanent legal custodianship (PLC) after age 16
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate, at least half-time in a postsecondary institution that is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV student assistance programs in PA
- Have unmet costs for the PA Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) Program, as determined by the postsecondary institution
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress, as determined by the postsecondary institution
- Not be in default on a federal student loan or owe a refund on other Title IV aid
- Have not received a FosterEd waiver for 5 years (consecutive or not), defined as 10 semesters or the equivalent for undergraduate study
When you apply for the Chafee ETG Program, you will be evaluated to determine if you also qualify for the FosterEd Program. Applicants for the 2024-25 FosterEd waiver (including consideration for the 2025 Summer) should submit the 2024-25 Chafee ETG Application by May 1, 2025.
- File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA external website).
- File a PA State Grant application external website items for the award year in which you requested the waiver. After completing your FAFSA, you will receive an email from PHEAA to activate your account external website.
- Be admitted to and enroll in a PA postsecondary institution approved by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV funding - such as Wilkes University.
- Apply for and be eligible for the Chafee ETG Program external website.
- Applicants for the 2024-25 FosterEd waiver, including summer 2025, should submit the 2024-25 Chafee ETG Program Application external website by May 1, 2025.
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Mail or fax your completed application to:
PHEAA
PA State Grant and Special Programs
P.O. Box 8157
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8157Fax: 717-720-3786
Students are not required to be awarded the Chafee Grant to be considered for the Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver.
Students who intend to transfer to a different institution during an academic year should notify PHEAA via email to FosterEd@pheaa.org or by calling 1-800-692-7392.
Students who wish to appeal their eligibility determination can do so by emailing FosterEd@pheaa.org.
You must complete a renewal FAFSA each year.
Students who received a grant during the 2023-24 academic year through the Chafee ETG Program do not need to complete an application for 2024-25.
Students who received a grant during the 2023-24 academic year and transferred to a different institution for the 2024-25 academic year should notify PHEAA via email to paetg@pheaa.org or by calling 1-800-692-7392.
- Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program Brochure (.pdf)
- Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program external website
- Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program FAQ external website
- Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant Program Eligibility and Application external website