• TThe Maryland Tuition Waiver provides exclusion of paying tuition costs for both credit-bearing and non-credit bearing courses as well as mandatory fees at any Maryland public institution of higher education. The waiver is available to eligible individuals for up to 10 years, once enrolled before or on their 25th birthday. For more information visit the Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Recipients
  • All foster care recipients of the Maryland Tuition Waiver must complete a FAFSA application to begin the waiver and must continue completing FAFSA applications each year to remain qualified. 
  • To see if you may be eligible for the Maryland Tuition Waiver, contact your local Independent Living Coordinator or the Maryland Department of Human Services Education Specialist by calling 410-767-7663.

Thinking about college?

With the MD Tuition Waiver program, tuition and required fees are waived for eligible young adults who attend a Maryland public college/university. You must complete a FAFSA annually and the waiver is available up to 10 years, once enrolled before or on their 25th birthday.

Want to know if you’re eligible? Scroll down for eligibility requirements!

Want a list of Maryland public colleges or universities? Click here:
https://mhec.maryland.gov/institutions_training/Pages/collegeinfo.aspx

Maryland Tuition Waiver FAQ’s

There is no application. To access the waiver, a FAFSA application needs to be completed first. The student must also inform their institution’s financial aid office of their eligibility for the waiver.

The Maryland Tuition Waiver will not provide money to students only an exemption from paying tuition and mandatory fees.

Yes. The waiver acts similarly to financial aid, meaning students who fail to drop a course by the withdrawal deadline can lose their financial aid or waiver.

Yes.

Contact the Maryland Department of Human Services Education Specialist Natalie Miller – natalie.miller2@maryland.gov or 443-915-0895.

No.

No. The Maryland Tuition Waiver can only be used at a public Maryland college or university.

All majors, including non-credit bearing courses and certificate programs, are covered under the waiver.

To be eligible for the Maryland Tuition Waiver, an individual may not need to provide court documentation. However, the federal government requires that if an individual wants to claim independent status based on their FAFSA response to question #53, the institution will need to verify information with documentation.