Tuition Waiver: Department of Children and Families Statewide Tuition Waiver Program

Eligibility

• Be between the ages of 16 and 22
• Have a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency (GED)
• Accepted in or granted admission to a degree or certificate granting post-secondary institution that has been accredited to receive Title IV funding (Federal Financial Aid)
• Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Have applied for the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) if attending a New Jersey school that offers this program
• Have a working e-mail address (New students will be emailed as part of the application process in order to verify)

In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following:

• Youth who are or were in a Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) Department of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) paid placement (Please note these must be open case placements as opposed to KLG or adoption, which have separate requirements listed below):
• Have been in the care and custody of CP&P DYFS, in an out-of- home placement, for a period of 9 months or more following 16th birthday
• Have been in the care and custody of CP&P DYFS, in an out-of- home placement after 14th birthday for a total of 18 months
• Reside in, or have resided in, a Transitional Living Program for youth, supportive housing, an independent living arrangement or have experienced homelessness for 3 months or more

Review eligibility requirements and apply for the New Jersey Foster Care (NJFC) Scholars Program.

Contact

Marjorie Blicharz
Education Specialist
New Jersey Department of Children and Families
609-888-7375

Millicent Berry 
Director of Scholarship Programs
Foster and adoptive Family Services
609-520-1500, ext. 323

Lesley Dixon
Senior Project Coordinator, Transitions for Youth
SHIP/SIP/Project Myself Director
973-353-5776

Michelle Safrin
Education Stability Administrator
NJ Department of Children and Families
609-888-7375
Michele.Safrin@dcf.state.nj.us