1. Tuition and Fee Waiver

A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees, including tuition and fees charged by an institution of higher education for a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit, if the student:

•   Was in the conservatorship of DFPS:

◦   on the day preceding the student's on their 18th birthday; or

◦   on or after the student's 14th birthday, if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after that day; or

◦   on the day the student graduated from high school or received the equivalent of a high school diploma; or

◦   on the day preceding the date the student is adopted or PMC is awarded to a person other than a parent, if that date is on or after September 1, 2009; or

◦   during an academic term in which the student was enrolled in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit; and

•   Enrolls in an institution of higher education as an undergraduate student or in a dual credit course or other course for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit not later than the student's 25th birthday. Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366(a).

Notwithstanding Tex. Educ. Code Ann § 54.366(a)(1), a child who exits the conservatorship of DFPS and is returned to the child's parent, including a parent whose parental rights were previously terminated, may be exempt from the payment of tuition and fees if DFPS determines that the child is eligible. Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366(c). Youth age 14 or older in PMC or youth age 16 or older in TMC who subsequently exit conservatorship to the legal responsibility of a parent are eligible for the tuition and fee waiver. 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 700.1630(a). If after exiting the foster care system the youth returns to DFPS conservatorship, the youth's eligibility will be based on their current foster care circumstances. 40 Tex. Admin. Code § 700.1630(b).

A student is also exempt from the payment of tuition and fees if the student was adopted and was the subject of an adoption assistance agreement under Tex. Fam. Code Chapter 162, Subchapter D, that:

•   Provided monthly payments and medical assistance benefits; and

•   Was not limited to providing only for the reimbursement of nonrecurring expenses, including reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney's fees, and other expenses directly related to the legal adoption of the child. Tex. Educ. Code § 54.367(a).

Note that Tex. Educ. Code § 54.2001(g) specifically states the conditional receipt of the exemptions and waivers does not apply to students who receive the exemption in accordance with Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366 or Tex. Educ. Code § 54.367. Tex. Educ. Code § 54.2001(g)(3).

2. Information about Higher Education

TEA and the THECB must develop outreach programs to ensure that students in the conservatorship of DFPS or adopted students in grades 9-12 are aware of the availability of the exemptions from the payment of tuition and fees. Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366(b) and Tex. Educ. Code § 54.367(b).

TEA must also develop procedures to ensure that a student in substitute care who is in grade 11 or 12 be provided information regarding tuition and fee exemptions under Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366 for dual-credit or other courses provided by a public institution of higher education for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit. Tex. Educ. Code § 25.007(b)(13).

In coordination with DFPS, each school district must facilitate the transition of each child enrolled in the district who is eligible for a tuition and fee waiver under Tex. Educ. Code § 54.366, and who is likely to be in the conservatorship of the department on the day preceding the child's 18th birthday to an institution of higher education by:

•   Assisting the child with the completion of any applications for admission or for financial aid;

•   Arranging and accompanying the child on campus visits;

•   Assisting the child in researching and applying for private or institution-sponsored scholarships;

•   Identifying whether the child is a candidate for appointment to a military academy;

•   Assisting the child in registering and preparing for college entrance examinations, including, subject to the availability of funds, arranging for the payment of any examination fees by the department; and

•   Coordinating contact between the child and a liaison officer designated under Tex. Educ. Code § 61.0908 for students formerly in DFPS conservatorship. Tex. Fam. Code § 264.1212(c).

3. Education Training Voucher (ETV) and Other Programs

Under the John H. Chaffee Foster Care Independence Program, eligible youth are entitled to up to $5,000 a year to cover education-related expenses from the federal ETV program.[165] 42 U.S.C. § 677. For more details about the DFPS Preparation for Adult Living services and other higher education resources, see the DFPS Transitional Living Services webpage.[166]

4. Liaisons at the THECB and Institutions of Higher Education

Each institution of higher education, as defined by Tex. Educ. Code § 61.003, must designate at least one employee of the institution to act as a liaison officer for current and incoming students at the institution who are or were formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS. Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9356(b). The liaison officer shall provide to those students information regarding support services and other resources available to the students at the institution and any other relevant information to assist the students. Tex. Educ. Code § 51.9356(d).

The THECB shall designate at least one employee of the board to act as a liaison officer for current and incoming students at institutions of higher education who were formerly in the conservatorship of DFPS. The liaison officer shall assist in coordinating college readiness and student success efforts relating to those students. Tex. Educ. Code § 61.0908.