Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver
settingsFoster Care students who meet the criteria complete the waiver for tuition waiver through DFACS. DFACS emails the college contact/TCSG.
What is the State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver?
The State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver Program exempts or waives payment of tuition and fees (and where applicable, on-campus housing) for students attending a technical college within the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). Eligible students must be a youth or young adult under the age of 28 who is currently in foster care, has experienced foster care, or who was placed for adoption by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.
The eligibility determination does not represent the approval or admission into a technical college, university, or school of choice. This eligibility determination only provides the determination of the applicant’s eligibility for the State’s Tuition Waiver Program within Code Sections 20-3-66 and 20-3-660. The applicant must complete an application for any participating school/college and follow all application and admission requirements as outlined by the school/college.
In order to qualify for the Tuition and Fee Waiver, an applicant must:
- Be a United States citizen or a permanent resident alien who meets the definition of an eligible noncitizen under federal Title IV requirements.
- Be under the age of 28.
- Be foster care or adoption eligible.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) PRIOR to completing the State of Georgia Post-Secondary Education Tuition Waiver application.
- Be currently enrolled full-time or part-time in a public postsecondary educational institution, OR be accepted for admission to a public postsecondary educational institution within 3 years of receiving a high school or GED diploma.
- Remain in good standing and meet the standard for satisfactory academic progress as defined by the public postsecondary educational institution (a grade point average (GPA) that satisfies the college/university’s policy regarding eligibility for financial aid).
Note: The student (applicant) must maintain required school/college GPA and semester completion requirements as outlined by the Technical College System of Georgia to maintain eligibility.
Am I Foster Care or Adoption Eligible?
As outlined within Georgia Code Sections 20-3-66 and 20-3-660, the student (applicant) must apply under one of the two eligibility criteria as described above:
Foster Care Applicant Eligibility (must meet one of the criteria below)
- Under age 28; AND
- Currently in the custody of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services; OR
- Experienced foster care after your 14th birthday and spent a total of 6 non-consecutive months in care (cumulative).
Adoption Applicant Eligibility
- The student’s (Applicant) Family currently receives adoption assistance for the student (applicant); and the student was placed for adoption by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services following their 13th birthday; OR
- The student (Applicant) is An adopted person under age 28; and was in the permanent legal custody of Georgia and placed for adoption by the Division of Family and Children Services following their 14th birthday.
Jackson Healthcare (Fostering Success Act)
Fostering Success Act, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to provide resources and support to young people aging out of the foster care system in the state of Georgia.
TCSG / FSA Foster Youth Scholarship Process
Student & Life Coach Information
1. Eligible Fostering Success Act: Students attending Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) schools notify their life coach of their enrollment and need for tuition, on-campus housing (if available) and meal plan (if available) support ahead of the next school term. Organizations are responsible for verifying the young person’s eligibility per the Fostering Success Act Tax Credit legislation.
a. Former foster child between the age of 18 and 26 who was in the Georgia Foster Care system or is enrolled in an Independent Living Program. 16–18 year olds still in care can receive support for tutoring, mentoring and transportation to and from school as needed. NOTE: All youth must provide a DFCS Verification Letter including full name, date of birth, date entering care, date leaving care. Students are required to apply for the DFCS tuition waiver.
b. Experienced foster care in Georgia for a minimum of six months after their 14th birthday.
c. Plan to, has applied to or is enrolled in an approved Georgia postsecondary school or other approved apprenticeship, internship, trade or vocational program.
d. Is a U.S. Citizen or holds a green card.
2. Organizations/life coach(es) notify Fostering Success Act (FSA), Inc. via email of the student’s financial need by submitting a TCSG Student Enrollment Form for the upcoming term including proof of enrollment (a screenshot from the school portal is sufficient).
a. Send email request to admin@fosteringsuccessact.org. Use subject line: TCSG Authorization for Billing Request.
b. To take advantage of the TCSG/FSA Foster Youth Scholarship, student eligibility must be determined by the drop-add date, at the very latest, for the current term. If a request for support for eligible students is made after the school’s drop-add date, the foster organization will have to pay the bursar office directly and apply for reimbursement after the fact through FSA.
c. TCSG Information
i. Drop Dates: Schools drop after the 3rd day from the term start date with 2 exceptions. Chattahoochee Tech and Gwinnett Tech drop 2 weeks before the start of classes.
3. Fostering Success Act (FSA), Inc. will issue an Authorization for Billing letter approved by the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Foundation to the bursar’s office(s). A copy will be sent to the foster organization forward on the student’s life coach and the student. This letter serves as a promise to pay any remaining amount due after all other financial aid (ETV, Pell, Hope, DFCS and any other scholarships or grants) is applied to the student’s account.