Tuition waivers for wards of the state
Offered by Utah Division of Child and Family Services · Free to apply
This program waives resident undergraduate tuition at Utah public higher education institutions for qualifying youth who were in foster care. Eligible applicants must have been in Utah Division of Child and Family Services custody for at least 24 months, apply initially before age 22, and demonstrate financial need. The waiver covers remaining resident tuition not met by other aid for up to nine semesters or 124 semester credits.
Other deadlines near this one
How hard is the Tuition waivers for wards of the state to win?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives.
- Estimated odds
- qualifying students generally receive it
- Paperwork
- ~1 hr to file
What drives the odds here
Odds on a scholarship are mostly a question of how many students can enter. Each rule below changes the size of that field.
- Fewer rivalsOpen only to Utah residents
How Solyo estimates this: State programs that allocate by published formula are modelled on qualification and filing, not on competition, because there is no selection committee choosing between applicants. These are estimates derived from each award's published structure, not reported acceptance rates, which almost no scholarship provider discloses. Treat them as a way to rank where the hours go, not as a guarantee.
Who can apply for the Tuition waivers for wards of the state?
These are the eligibility rules Solyo verified against the official award page, translated into plain English. Your student must meet each one.
- Must be a resident of Utah
- Open to high school seniors and current college students
- Must be aged 17 to 26 and have been in DCFS custody for at least 24 months with a goal of long-term foster care, without being adopted.
- Must apply to the Division of Child and Family Services for the first time before reaching 22 years of age.
- Must apply for federal financial aid (including Pell Grants and scholarships) and be certified by the financial aid officer as having unmet need.
- Must not have already earned a bachelor's degree or exceeded 124 semester credits (or 180 quarter credits) under this program.
- No fixed date: awards are made until funds run out. File the FAFSA (and any state form) as early as possible.
Personalized matching
Does your student actually qualify?
Not sure your student clears every rule above? Solyo checks 20+ criteria against their real profile: GPA, state, grade level, intended major, and more, across every award in this directory at once.
What the application takes
No essay, recommendation letters, or transcript are required. This is one of the lighter applications in the directory.
Deadline and application cycle
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year.
- Applications close
- June 30, 2027
Free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge a fee. We use your student's information only to build their plan.
Common questions about the Tuition waivers for wards of the state
How much is the Tuition waivers for wards of the state worth?
The Tuition waivers for wards of the state awards full resident tuition and is renewable in later years.
When is the Tuition waivers for wards of the state deadline?
The current deadline is June 30, 2027. This award runs on an annual cycle, with deadlines around June 30 each year.
Who is eligible for the Tuition waivers for wards of the state?
Key requirements: Must be a resident of Utah; Open to high school seniors and current college students.
Does the Tuition waivers for wards of the state require an essay?
No essay is required. The application is light on requirements. Expect to spend about 1 hour on it.
How hard is it to win the Tuition waivers for wards of the state?
This is not a competition. Aid is allocated by a published formula, so meeting the criteria and filing on time is what determines whether the money arrives. Solyo classifies this award as qualify and receive, meaning qualifying students generally receive it. Plan on about 1 hr of paperwork.
Is the Tuition waivers for wards of the state free to apply?
Yes. The Tuition waivers for wards of the state is free to apply. Legitimate scholarships never charge an application fee, and Solyo verifies every listed award against its official page.
More state grants & programs
- UC Blue and Gold Opportunity PlanCovers all UC systemwide tuition and fees · due March 2, 2027
- Utah Opportunity ScholarshipUp to $1,000/semester for up to 4 semesters (maximum set annually by funding and applicant count) · due February 1, 2027
- Utah Promise GrantVaries; last-dollar toward tuition & fees · due June 30, 2027
- Vermont Advancement GrantBased on financial need and course cost, up to an annual maximum set each year · due June 30, 2027
- Vermont Grant$1,000-$15,350/yr (2025-26) · due June 30, 2027
- Verne Cooper Foundation ScholarshipVaries (over $100,000 awarded annually) · due April 20, 2027
Lists this award appears on
Award details are curated by Solyo and verified against the official scholarship page. Deadlines and requirements can change between cycles, so always confirm on the provider's site before applying.