With many schools, including West Chester University, having programs in place that help foster children in Pennsylvania attend college, a new law ensures they can attain a higher education tuition-free, writes Laurie Mason Schroeder for the Allentown Morning Call.

WCU joined forces with three other schools last year to create “Foster Care to College.” This program aims to develop best practices for recruiting, retaining, and supporting students who are transitioning from foster care to college.

The program will most likely get a boost from the Fostering Independence Through Education Act signed by Gov. Tom Wolf on June 28. The law waives college tuition for youth who were in foster care at age 16 or older, including individuals who have “aged out” of the system or been adopted.

All colleges and universities in the state will start accepting the waivers for the fall 2020 semester. The waivers can be used for up to five years or until a student turns 26.

Students will have to use all available financial aids before the waiver kicks in. They will also have to maintain “satisfactory academic progress.”

Read more about the new law in the Allentown Morning Call here.

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