DCF Adopted Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program

Eligibility

• Have approved eligibility status as a 'High School Completer' per the Massachusetts tuition equity law or be a U.S. Citizen, permanent legal resident, or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations.
• Have applied for financial aid, using the standard Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a FAFSA equivalent application authorized by the Department of Higher Education.
• Not be in default of any federal or state Student Loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received.
• Be enrolled full time, half time, or part time in an eligible program or is taking an eligible course as defined.
• Not have received a prior bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
• Be maintaining satisfactory academic progress in accordance with institutional and federal standards.
• Be twenty-four years of age or under at the start of the academic year.
• Be in the custody of the DCF and have been adopted by an eligible Massachusetts state employee or by an eligible Massachusetts resident through the DCF.
• Eligible state employees shall include all full- and part-time Massachusetts state government employees employed by the state, for at least six months at the time of the adoption. Employees must be working for the state at the time of the adoption and continued to be employed by the state for at least six months after the adoption.
• Eligible Massachusetts residents shall include all individuals determined to be Massachusetts state residents at the time of adoption of the eligible student.