Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) Adopted and Foster Child Tuition Waiver and Fee Assistance Program is designed to lessen the financial burden on adopting parents in the Commonwealth, and to provide financial support for foster children in state custody who were neither adopted nor returned home. The tuition and fee waiver covers 100% of tuition and fees for state-supported courses, subject to budgetary appropriation, at all of the Massachusetts public institutions of higher education, excluding graduate courses and courses in the MD program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. 

North Shore Community College (NSCC) is committed to provide the assistance that will cover any remaining tuition* and mandatory course related fees** after all other awarded funds from federal, state and/or institutional grants and/or scholarships have been applied to the student’s account. The College may not use this aid assistance to supplant other State, Federal or institutional aid previously awarded to the student. 

If the student’s tuition and fees are 100% covered by the other awards, the student will NOT receive this aid assistance. 

Eligible Student Requirements

To be eligible for Adopted and Foster Child Tuition Waivers and Fee Assistance Program, students must meet the following conditions:

  1. Is a U.S. citizen or non-citizen eligible under Title IV regulations
  2. Is under the age of twenty - five (25) at the start of the academic year
  3. Is enrolled in an undergraduate degree, certificate or short-term certificate program, or is taking non-credit courses
  4. Has applied for financial aid, using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can be completed at www.fafsa.ed.gov
  5. Is in compliance with applicable law regarding Selective Service
  6. Is not in default of any federal or state student loans for attendance at any institution or owe a refund for any previous financial aid received
  7. Is in good standing and meets the institution’s requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress
  8. Obtain and submit to NSCC, eligibility documentation from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) indicating ability to benefit from the tuition and fee assistance program. Initial eligibility for the program is determined by DCF and all eligibility documentation is originated by DCF.
  9. Adopted child eligibility:
    • Adopted by an eligible MA state employee through the Department of Children and Families
    • Adopted by an eligible MA resident through the Department of Children and Families
    • Is a permanent legal resident of MA or was a permanent resident of the Commonwealth at the time of adoption
  10. Foster child eligibility:
    • Is a current or former foster child placed in the custody of the Department of Children and Families and remained in custody through age 18 without subsequently being returned home, or
    • Is a child whose guardianship was sponsored by the Department of Children and Families through age 18
    • Is a permanent legal resident of MA or was a permanent legal resident at the time of the Department of Children and Families sponsored guardianship

Due to the required enrollment verification process, fee assistance awards are generally credited to eligible students accounts during the middle of the fall and spring semesters. 

For complete program guidelines please visit www.osfa.mass.edu. For more information about program deadlines and requirements, contact the Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance at (617) 391-6070. For the Department of Children and Families please call (617) 748-2000. 

*In-state tuition rate 
**Does not include the health insurance fee, MassPIRG, late payment fee, books and/or supplies, special program fee or facility fee. 

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