Foster Care and Homeless Youth Tuition Waivers

Q: How do I know if I qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: You may qualify if you have resided in an out-of-home placement in Maryland by the Maryland Department of Human Services, and you are currently attending HCC or any other public higher education institution in the state of Maryland. You must enroll on or before you reach the age of 25.

Q: My older sibling was placed in out-of-home placement by the Maryland Department of Human Services, do I qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: You may be eligible for the tuition waiver if you are the younger sibling of an individual who meets all qualifications, and you were concurrently placed into the same guardianship by the same parent or were adopted by the same adoptive family with your older sibling.

Q: How do I apply for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the MD One App, whichever applies to your circumstances. After completing the FAFSA or MD One App please contact Financial Aid Services at 443-518-1260 or Submit a ticket for additional instructions. You will be required to submit an additional online application to confirm your eligibility.

Q: The online application for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients asks about demographic information, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Why do you request this information?
A: State regulation requires institutions to request demographic information for tuition waiver recipients. Students may indicate that they prefer not to disclose.

Q: What expenses are covered under the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: The tuition waiver only applies to tuition and any fees that are required as a condition of enrollment. This also includes all fees for credit bearing and noncredit courses required as a condition of enrollment. The tuition waiver does not include books and transportation.

Q: What majors qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: All majors are eligible to apply for the tuition waiver.

Q: I received the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients in a previous academic year; do I need to apply every year?
A: You must file the FAFSA or MD One App every year. You will continue to be exempt from paying tuition and fees for ten years after first enrolling as a degree candidate at a Maryland public institution of higher education, or until you receive your bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.

Q: I’m only attending HCC part-time this academic year, would I qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients?
A: Yes, students enrolled part-time are eligible to receive the tuition waiver. Students are eligible to receive the Foster Care Tuition Waiver during the fall, winter/spring, and summer terms.

Q: If I receive other sources of aid such as the Federal Pell Grant or HCC scholarships, would that affect my eligibility?
A: Only if the award is for tuition and fees only such as the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship or the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship program. If you receive a tuition and fee only award, you will only be eligible for one award. Other financial aid funding will not impact your eligibility for the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients.

Q: Who do I contact with additional questions?
A: Please contact Financial Aid Services at 443-518-1260 or Submit a ticket.

Q: How do I know if I qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?
A: To be eligible for the tuition waiver, you must have had a consistent presence in Maryland for at least one year before enrollment in a public institution of higher education that is documented by school, employment, or other records. You must also have been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding your enrollment in a Maryland public institution of higher education, or while you are enrolled in a Maryland public institution of higher education. You must be enrolled on or before you reach the age of 25.

Q: What are some examples of children/youth who fall under the definition of homeless?
A: Children and youth sharing housing due to loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason; children and youth living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations; children and youth living in emergency or transitional shelters; children and youth abandoned in hospitals; children and youth whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation; children and youth living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or training stations; migratory children and youth living in any of the above situations.

Q: How do I apply for the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?
A: You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA), whichever applies to your circumstances. After completing the FAFSA or MSFAA please contact Financial Aid Services at 443-518-1260 or finaid@howardcc.edu for additional instructions. You will be required to submit an additional online application to confirm your eligibility.

Q: The online application for the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth asks about demographic information, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Why do you request this information?
A: State regulation requires institutions to request demographic information for tuition waiver recipients. Students may indicate that they prefer not to disclose.

Q: What expenses are covered under the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?
A: The tuition waiver only applies to tuition and any fees that are required as a condition of enrollment. This also includes all fees for credit bearing and noncredit courses required as a condition of enrollment. The tuition waiver does not include books and transportation.

Q: I received the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth in a previous academic year; do I need to apply every year?
A: You must file the FAFSA or MSFAA every year. You will continue to be exempt from paying tuition and fees for ten years after first enrolling as a degree candidate at a Maryland public institution of higher education, or until you receive your bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.

Q: I’m only attending HCC part-time this academic year, would I qualify for the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth?
A: Yes, students enrolled part-time are eligible to receive the tuition waiver. Students are eligible to receive the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth during the fall, winter/spring, and summer terms.

Q: If I receive other sources of aid such as the Federal Pell Grant or HCC scholarships, would that affect my eligibility?
A: Only if the award is for tuition and fees only such as the Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship or the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy Memorial Scholarship & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program. If you receive a tuition and fee only award, you will only be eligible for one award. Other financial aid funding will not impact your eligibility for the Tuition Waiver for Homeless Youth.

Q: Who do I contact with additional questions?
A: Please contact Financial Aid Services at 443-518-1260 or finaid@howardcc.edu.