Kansas Foster Child Education Assistance Act

What Benefits Are Available

Senate Bill 85 and the addition of SB 355 provides an opportunity for foster care children in the custody of the Kansas Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services and in a foster care placement; at age 18; or in foster care placement while graduating from high school or completing their General Educational Development (GED) prior to their 18th birthday; or adopted from foster care after the age of 16; or guardianship subject to chapter 38 or 59 of K.S.A. from foster care placement on or after age 16 to enroll in Kansas educational institutions without payment of tuition and required fees. Enrollment without payment of tuition and required fees means that an eligible student will be allowed to enroll without payment of tuition and required fees required of all students at the time of enrollment. The student will be responsible for other charges associated with the student’s academic program and living costs, such as books and room and board. The applicant may be eligible for assistance for other costs of higher education through Social and Rehabilitation Services. This program provides for undergraduate enrollment of eligible applicant through the semester applicant attains 23 years of age.

Where May Eligible Students Enroll

Enrollment without charge of tuition and fees will be possible at Kansas educational institutions including: area vocational schools, area vocational-technical schools, community colleges, the municipal university, state educational institutions or technical colleges.

Who is Eligible to Apply

An eligible applicant must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Eligible applicant enrolls in a Kansas educational institution on or after July 1, 2006; and
  • The applicant was in custody of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services and in a foster care placement on the date such applicant reached 18 years of age; or
  • prior to age 18 graduated from high school or fulfilled the requirements for a GED while in foster care placement and custody of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services; or
  • adopted from a foster care placement on or after applicant’s 16th birthday; or
  • left a foster care placement subject to a guardianship under chapter 38 or 59 of the K.S.A. on or after applicant’s 16th birthday.

The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Central Office must verify the applicant’s eligibility status prior to enrollment.

Requirements of Eligible Students

Students who have been granted tuition waiver shall remain in good academic standing at the Kansas educational institution where the eligible applicant is enrolled and shall make satisfactory progress toward completion of the requirements of the educational program in which the eligible applicant is enrolled.

When May Eligible Students Enroll

Foster Child Education Assistance Program will be possible for eligible individuals who enroll in a Kansas educational institution on or after July 1, 2006.

How to Apply

Please complete the fillable Department for Children and Families Application for Foster Child Education Assistance Program Form found on the Kansas Board of Regents' website, and submit to the Office of the University Registrar.

Tuition and Fees Resources