Relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain students who were under the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Foster students get longer tuition exemption deadline

Starting with fall 2025 charges, qualifying students get two more years to meet Texas public college tuition and fee exemption deadlines. The enrollment deadline moves from the 25th birthday to the 27th birthday. Students must enroll by that birthday as undergraduates or in courses earning both high school and college credit. The exemption also covers tuition and fees for those joint-credit courses. Students must have been in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship at a qualifying time. Qualifying times include the day before turning 18, or the day of high school graduation or an equivalent diploma. Care on or after age 14 qualifies if the student was also eligible for adoption on or after age 14. Care during a term when the student took a joint-credit course also counts. Another qualifying time is the day before adoption or transfer of permanent managing conservatorship to someone other than a parent. That adoption or transfer must have occurred on or after September 1, 2009. Charges for terms before fall 2025 remain under the prior law.