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See Your Future at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University

Cardinal Fostering Futures supports newly admitted students with foster care experience or SEFC as they transition to ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University and connect with dedicated support through our foster care liaison. Throughout their time at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University, our SEFC receive individualized guidance and access to resources that help them build a plan for academic, personal, and professional success.

We are a university that promotes involvement beyond campus boundaries, connecting students with the local community while fostering meaningful relationships and a vibrant campus experience that puts students first. Through Cardinal Fostering Futures, students are connected to resources including academic support, housing assistance, food resources, financial guidance, wellness and mental health services, career development, community connections, and life skills support. Students may also qualify for financial assistance programs such as the Texas Tuition and Fee Waiver, Education and Training Voucher (ETV), FAFSA or TASFA funding, and scholarships. These structured connections help you access campus resources, build meaningful relationships, and prioritize well-being and academic success throughout your journey at ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University.

Every Student Deserves the Chance to Earn a Degree

• Students who have experienced foster care face barriers when attending college. Only 2-12% earn a bachelor's degree vs. nearly 50% of general population (Okypch et al., 2025).
• Texas provides a tuition & fee waiver - but 40% of eligible youth don't use it (Watt et al., 2024).
• SEFC have asked to connect with peers with lived experience and with people who understand their experience (Geenen et al., 2015; Salazar et al., 2024). 
• Peer support potentially reduces stigma and encourages help-seeking (Kees et al., 2017).

Financial Support for SEFC

State of Texas Tuition and Fee Waiver

Students who have a history of foster care in the State of Texas may be eligible to receive a Tuition and Fee Waiver from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It’s a document that is provided and signed by the DFPS that will waive the college tuition and fees for students who qualify in the State of Texas.

Does Cover

• Standard tuition and fees associated with in-person degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level (it will cover the cost of taking online, hybrid or flex schedule classes as long as they are part of an in-person residential degree program)
• Undergraduate application fees
• Undergraduate orientation fees
• In-person postbaccalaureate programs

Does NOT Cover

• Student housing or meal plans
• Cost of books
• LU parking permit
• Costs associated with LU online degree programs or certificate programs
• Degree-specific program fees that are additional to student fees for in-person degree programs
• Testing services fees for tests including ALEKS and TSI

Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV)

An important type of federal support is the Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV). The ETV program allows states to distribute up to $5,000 per year to eligible youth to support their higher education pursuits. Higher education institutions that qualify include private and public four-year
universities, community colleges, and vocational schools. Students may receive ETV funds for up to five years (or until age 26), if they maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Transitional Living Services

Transitional Living Services, supported by the Chafee Act, provide services designed to support youth and adults who experienced foster care from age 14 up to age 23. Most relevant to foster care and higher education, is the Extended Foster Care program, which offers support to youth as they transition out of care from age 18 to 21. Texas is one of 33 states offering Extended Foster Care, which was adopted and expanded after the passage of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. A primary benefit established by this act is Supervised Independent Living. Supervised Independent Living is a voluntary program that allows young adults 18 through 21 to remain in care and receive housing and other services, but in a non-traditional, less restrictive environment. Young adults placed in Supervised Independent Living settings have minimal supervision and case management. This arrangement allows young adults to practice independent living skills and achieve self-sufficiency in a supportive environment before leaving foster care.

Required Documents

Under the State of Texas law, you should have received your identification documents when you turned 16. If you did not receive the following documents, then please contact your Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) worker and liaison to obtain these documents.

• DFPS Waiver - Share with registrar
• Transcripts
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Texas state identification card or driver's license
• Immunization records

Students under the age of 22 must receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis.

StudentLingo

Success Workshops Now Available for LU Students

The Center for Academic Success (CAS) is excited to offer StudentLingo online student workshops to all ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ University students. These workshops are available through our Innovative Educators StudentLingo website at no extra charge to our students and can empower our students to excel academically by closing skill gaps.

There are 20 workshops available. Students can view all 20 workshops which are available on demand. All that students need to do is create an account at  and choose the sessions they find interesting and beneficial.