The Independent Living Act was established by the 2000 Oklahoma Legislature to ensure that eligible individuals who have been or are in the foster care program of the Department of Human Services receive services that include housing, medical coverage and education. The first recipients of the tuition waivers were 1999-2000 high school graduates.
Scholarship Details
- Provides a resident tuition waiver for eligible courses
- The waiver covers the cost of resident tuition for courses for which resident tuition is charged
- Benefits may continue until age 26 or completion of a bachelor's degree or program certificate, whichever occurs first
- Students remain responsible for special course fees, student activity and facility fees, assessment fees, and other applicable charges
- The program is available at Oklahoma public colleges, universities, and eligible technology center programs
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Oklahoma resident
- Must have been in Oklahoma Department of Human Services custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18
- Must have graduated within the previous three years from a State Board of Education-accredited high school, the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, or an approved high school bordering Oklahoma, or have completed GED requirements
- Must be enrolled in an Oklahoma public college, university, or eligible technology center program
- Must meet the applicable age and educational requirements for continued waiver eligibility
Application Process
- Confirm that you meet the Oklahoma residency, foster care, and education requirements.
- Enroll in an eligible Oklahoma public college, university, or technology center program.
- Contact your institution's financial aid office or the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to confirm eligibility for the tuition waiver.
- Complete any documentation required to verify your eligibility under the Independent Living Act.
- Work with your institution to have the resident tuition waiver applied to eligible courses.
A resident tuition waiver covers the cost of resident tuition for all courses for which resident tuition is charged. The student is responsible for all other fees: special course fees, student activity and facility fees, assessment fees and others.
