Youth who have spent all or some of their teenage years in foster care in Delaware may be eligible to have their college tuition and fees waived at public Delaware in-state schools (University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Delaware Technical Community College).

What does this mean?

If you are eligible for the tuition waiver and get accepted to UD, DSU, or Del Tech, you can attend, without having to worry about how to pay for college.

What is included?

ALL tuition and fees (including books)

Year-round on-campus room and board (including meal plan) for full-time students at UD or DSU

Who is eligible?

You are eligible for the tuition waiver if any of the following applies:

• You are eligible for or are currently receiving DFS Independent Living Services
• You aged out of foster care in Delaware at age 18
• You were in foster care in Delaware and went to guardianship or adoption between ages 16-18
• You spent 1 year or more in foster care in Delaware between the ages of 14-18

Eligible students must apply for any and all financial aid before being granted the tuition waiver for any leftover tuition and fees. Students are eligible until they turn 27.

How to apply

Once you are accepted to the school, or if you are a student currently enrolled at the school, please contact dscyf_highereducation@delaware.gov to obtain a letter verifying your eligibility. When you email the mailbox, please include proof that you are enrolled or accepted to one of the three schools. An example of enrollment documentation could be a screenshot of your schedule, an official email from the school verifying enrollment, or a scanned acceptance letter. Once your eligibility has been verified, DSCYF will send the eligibility verification letter directly to the school’s designated point of contact, cc’ing the student and their TIL worker, if applicable.

The people listed below are the primary points of contact for eligible students at their institution, and they assist students in accessing supportive services on and off campus. If you have questions about using a tuition waiver at one of the three schools, you may reach out to the school contact directly. If you have general questions about the tuition waiver program or eligibility, please send an email to dscyf_highereducation@delaware.gov.

Tuition Waiver Program School Contact List

Delaware Technical Community College
Brian Keister
302-857-1637
brian.keister@dtcc.edu

Delaware State University
Travis Sudler
302-857-3672
tsudler@desu.edu

University of Delaware
Tevin Williams
302-831-2126
tevwill@udel.edu

Tuition Waiver FAQ

Related Topics:  DFS, Family Services, foster care, Foster Care Contact Information, foster care training link, Foster Care Tuition Waiver Program