State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver

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.

Important Information

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.

After the eligibility determination has been provided to the applicant, a tuition waiver application program representative will provide follow up and communicate to the applicant and the applicable Technical College System of Georgia contact.

For more information, please see https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20212022/199444 or see the State of Georgia Post-Secondary Tuition Waiver Program FAQ’s (Insert PDF FAQ document).

Note: A student who is presumptively eligible to participate in the waiver program shall be permitted to provisionally participate in the waiver program for a period of up to 30 days pending the student's completion of the application process.

Helpful Information to Have Available Prior to Completing this Tuition Waiver Application

  • Name of school/college you have been accepted to or are currently enrolled and a copy of your acceptance letter or proof of enrollment.
  • Completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – must be completed prior to completing the Post-Secondary Education Tuition Waiver application.
  • Email address where you receive and check email.
  • Current mailing address where you receive and check your postal mail.