Overview of Tuition Waiver
The California State University (CSU) Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is available for current and former foster care youth who are enrolled at a California State University campus in an undergraduate program. The foster youth tuition waiver originated with the passage of Senate Bill 967 (as amended by Education Code § 60025.3) in 2018 and is intended to address the gap in postsecondary education attainment between foster care youth and other young adults. The bill was further amended in 2019.
The purpose of the CSU Foster Youth Tuition Waiver is to provide increased access for current and former foster youth to higher education by providing a tuition waiver. The waiver is open to qualified current and former foster youth enrolled as undergraduate students.
Students are exempt from paying the systemwide tuition fee (this covers only state-supported courses) at any CSU campus. The tuition fee waiver only applies to the systemwide mandatory tuition fee and application fee. It does not apply to campus-based mandatory fees. The waiver does not include campus fees, housing, books transportation or other costs of attendance. The amount of the waiver may be reduced by any state or federal aid, including scholarships or grants, received by the student for the academic year or semester/quarter.
Students are eligible to receive the Foster Youth Tuition Waiver for the following terms:
- Fall
- Winter
- Spring
- Summer (The waiver will apply ONLY if the campus offers state-supported summer enrollment. The tuition waiver will not cover the tuition for Continuing and Extended Education self-support courses.)
Eligibility Criteria
Students who have been in foster care for at least 12 consecutive months after reaching 10 years of age must meet any of the following criteria:
- Is under a current foster care placement order from juvenile court
- Was under a foster care placement order from juvenile court upon reaching 18 years of age
- Was adopted or entered guardianship from foster care
- Be 25 of age or younger on the first day of the academic year
In addition to the above, a student must fulfill
all of the following:
- Be a California resident
- Maintain minimum grade point average (academic standards by campus)
- Be in academic good standing with the university
- Enrolled in a undergraduate program (any major)
- Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually
- Meet the financial need requirements established for Cal Grant A
CSU Foster Youth Tuition Waiver Application Form