901 The Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program

1.0 Legal Basis and Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to provide the eligibility criteria, determination process, and program guidance for the Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program under14Del.C.§§3431A-3434A.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, have the following meaning:

"DSCYF" means the Delaware Department of Services for Children Youth and Their Families.

"DSCYF custody" means legal custody of a child that is granted to DSCYF by the Delaware Family Court under Title 13, Chapter 25 of the Delaware Code.

"FAFSA" means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

"Institution of Higher Education" or "institution" means University of Delaware, Delaware State University, or Delaware Technical Community College.

"Office" means the Office of the Child Advocate as established under Title 29, Chapter 90A of the Delaware Code.

"Point of contact" or "POC" means the persons designated by the Office and each institution to oversee the responsibilities of the Tuition Waiver Program and be accessible to students in the program.

"Tuition Waiver Program" or "program" means the Fostering Independence Through Education Tuition Waiver Program established under14Del.C.§§3431A-3434A.

"Tuition waiver" means a waiver of tuition, fees, room and board under the program.

"Unit" means the Services for Youth Advancement Unit within the Office designated to administer the Tuition Waiver Program.

"Unit Coordinator" means the Office of the Child Advocate employee who supports programs administered by the Unit and reports to the Unit Director.

"Unit Director" means the Office of the Child Advocate employee who oversees programs administered by the Unit and reports to the Office’s Chief Policy Advisor.

3.0 Eligibility

1. 3.1 An applicant who meets the eligibility requirements of subsections 3.1.1 through 3.1.3 is entitled to receive a tuition waiver.

   1. 3.1.1 An applicant must have received an offer of admission from an Institution of Higher Education. An offer of admission includes a contingent offer pending completion of an institution’s requirements for full admission.
   2. 3.1.2 An applicant must be under the age of 26.

   3. 3.1.3 An applicant must meet 1 or more of the following requirements:

      1. 3.1.3.1 The applicant aged out of DSCYF custody at age 18.
      2. 3.1.3.2 The applicant exited DSCYF custody to guardianship or adoption at the age of 16 or older.
      3. 3.1.3.3 The applicant was in DSCYF custody for a total of 12 months or more between the ages of 14 and 18. Time in DSCYF custody does not have to be consecutive so long as the cumulative total of time is 12 months or more.
2. 3.2 A student continuously enrolled full time is eligible for a waiver for up to 5 years, until the student earns a bachelor’s degree, or until the student reaches the age of 26, whichever occurs first.
3. 3.3 A student at any time enrolled part time is eligible for a waiver until the student earns a bachelor’s degree or until the student reaches the age of 26, whichever occurs first.
4. 3.4 A student whose eligibility expires while enrolled in classes will remain eligible for all benefits of the tuition waiver until the end of the semester in which the student’s eligibility expires.

4.0 Eligibility Determination

1. 4.1 An applicant must request an eligibility verification letter through the Office’s scholarship application on the Office’s website.
2. 4.2 An applicant must provide documentation of an admission offer or enrollment in an Institution of Higher Education.

3. 4.3 Upon receipt of a request and required documentation, the Unit will determine the applicant’s eligibility based on information in the electronic databases of the Office and DSCYF.

   1. 4.3.1 If the applicant is determined eligible, the Unit will email a verification letter to the applicant and the POC for the school at which the applicant has been accepted.
   2. 4.3.2 An applicant who is found ineligible may request a further inquiry from the Office and may provide documentation to support their eligibility status.
4. 4.4 A student who changes institutions must complete a new request for an eligibility verification letter.
5. 4.5 An applicant should complete the FAFSA for the school year in which the tuition waiver is sought. However, failure to complete or unsuccessful completion of the FAFSA does not prevent a student from receiving a waiver and may not be barrier to a student enrolling in classes.

5.0 Tuition Waiver Program Standards

1. 5.1 A student receiving a tuition waiver will be held to the same behavioral and academic standards as other students, according to the policies of the Institution of Higher Education at which the student is enrolled.
2. 5.2 A student who violates the institution’s Code of Conduct or does not meet the institution’s requirements for continuing enrollment will receive the same consequences as other students, including removal from campus housing or academic dismissal from the institution, when appropriate.
3. 5.3 The federal definition of satisfactory academic progress does not apply to the program.

6.0 Expenses Covered by a Waiver

1. 6.1 Tuition and all mandatory fees will be waived for a student in the tuition waiver program.

   1. 6.1.1 The institution will waive any remaining tuition and fees after a student’s financial aid awards, if any, are applied.
   2. 6.1.2 Tuition and fees will be waived for winter and summer courses if offered by the institution.
   3. 6.1.3 Tuition and fees will be waived for a course or program required by the institution for full admission status.

   4. 6.1.4 A mandatory fee is any fee required by the institution, including the following:

      1. 6.1.4.1 An admission deposit.
      2. 6.1.4.2 A housing deposit.
      3. 6.1.4.3 A new student orientation fee.
      4. 6.1.4.4 A required fee for health insurance.
      5. 6.1.4.5 A health and wellness fee.
      6. 6.1.4.6 A course fee for a course required by a student’s major or program of study.
      7. 6.1.4.7 A technology fee.
      8. 6.1.4.8 A graduation fee.

2. 6.2 Where the institution offers room and board to its students, the cost of standard on-campus housing and a standard meal plan will be waived for a student who is eligible for on-campus housing based on the student’s fall and spring enrollment.

   1. 6.2.1 On-campus housing and a standard meal plan will be provided, and the cost waived, 365 days per year. If a meal plan is not accessible during an academic break the institution shall assist with alternative access to food.
   2. 6.2.2 A student is not required to take classes during winter or summer semesters to remain on campus.
   3. 6.2.3 A student must follow all instructions provided by the institution related to on-campus housing and food access during academic breaks and must be notified in advance if the student is required to move dormitories.
3. 6.3 An institution may not apply any loans toward tuition, mandatory fees, standard on-campus housing, or a standard meal plan.

7.0 Points of Contact and Responsibilities

1. 7.1 The points of contact for the tuition waiver program from the Office will be the Unit Director and the Unit Coordinator. The Office POCs are responsible for the following duties:

   1. 7.1.1 Determining an applicant’s eligibility and providing an eligibility verification letter to the institution’s POC.
   2. 7.1.2 Facilitating contact between a student, the student’s support system, and the institution’s POC.
   3. 7.1.3 Assisting an eligible student with identifying additional direct and indirect costs of higher education to determine whether any additional sources of funding are required.
   4. 7.1.4 Facilitating support to a student who needs additional academic assistance.
   5. 7.1.5 Facilitating planning for a student who becomes ineligible for campus housing.
   6. 7.1.6 Ensuring policies and procedures are in place with each institution for timely exchange of information regarding students receiving a tuition waiver and program concerns.
   7. 7.1.7 Maintaining documentation on students receiving a tuition waiver, including continuing eligibility status and student outcomes.

2. 7.2 Each institution will designate a single point of contact for the tuition waiver program who will be accessible to students in the program and will be the point of contact for the Office. Each institution’s POC is responsible for the following duties:

   1. 7.2.1 Maintaining a record of each student attending the institution who is receiving a tuition waiver.
   2. 7.2.2 Ensuring policies and procedures are in place for application of the waiver, scholarships and grants, and any additional costs and fees, as well as housing and food access during academic breaks

   3. 7.2.3 Assisting a student or connecting a student with appropriate resources to assist with issues, including:

      1. 7.2.3.1 Financial aid.
      2. 7.2.3.2 Physical and mental health and wellness.
      3. 7.2.3.3 Class registration and academic advisement.
      4. 7.2.3.4 Housing.
      5. 7.2.3.5 Meal plans and food access.
      6. 7.2.3.6 Transportation.
   4. 7.2.4 Ensuring a student is counseled regarding the student’s financial aid offers and contacting the Office POCs if a student has taken or wishes to take out a loan.
   5. 7.2.5 Facilitating a timely exchange of information with the Office regarding students receiving a tuition waiver and program concerns, especially where a student needs additional academic assistance, is at risk of academic probation or academic unenrollment, or is at risk of removal from campus housing.
   6. 7.2.6 Working with the Office POCs to plan for additional academic support for a student or for a student’s transition out of campus housing.
   7. 7.2.7 Informing students and the Office POCs of housing and food access provisions during academic breaks.

29 DE Reg. 426 (11/01/25)