°®¶¹´«Ã½ Pearls

Postsecondary Tuition and Fee Exemption Information

The state of °®¶¹´«Ã½ offers free tuition and fee exemption to eligible former foster youth that have lived in the °®¶¹´«Ã½ foster care system and were a ward of (or was adopted from) the Department of Children and Families (DCF) after May 5, 1997 (). At °®¶¹´«Ã½, this tuition and fee exemption waiver is commonly referred to as the DCF Waiver.

Information about the DCF waiver, including instructions for submission and deadlines, can be found on the University Controller's Office website under Student Acounting. 

In-State °®¶¹´«Ã½

How to Submit:

  1. In Person: Tampa Campus, SVC 1039
  2. Mail: UCO-Student Accounting
              ATTN: Amy Murray
              University of South °®¶¹´«Ã½
              4202 E. Fowler Ave SVC1039
              Tampa, FL 33620
  3. Email: TuitionWaiver@usf.edu, please attach your paperwork in PDF format and include your °®¶¹´«Ã½ ID in the subject line.

Dates to Submit Documentation:

  • Fall semester- August 1st
  • Spring semester- December 1st
  • Summer semester (all sessions)- May 1st

Out-Of-State °®¶¹´«Ã½

If you are an out-of-state student you will not qualify for the DCF Waiver. However, we can work with you to help you navigate your state ward benefits to ensure you are receiving all that you are entitled to by your home state Foster Care Department.