Foster Care Student Support Program
Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower students with lived experience in foster care to strengthen their voice, build meaningful connections, and cultivate lifelong knowledge and interpersonal skills. We aim to create a welcoming and supportive community where every student feels valued, capable, and prepared to thrive academically and far beyond graduation.
Fostering Futures Student Organization
Fostering Futures at Blinn is a supportive community for students with lived experience in foster care. We believe every Buc belongs, and our organization provides a space to build connections, develop new skills, and navigate college alongside peers with shared experiences.
We also enjoy having fun together through social events, activities, and opportunities to connect. Students who are interested in learning more about foster care and supporting foster youth are also welcome to join.
To get involved, contact the Foster Care Support Liaison to connect with the student organization leadership team or reach out to Student Leadership & Activities (SLA) for more information.
Follow us on Instagram @Blinnfosterstudprog for updates on events and opportunities to get involved.
Community Resource Guide
A wide variety of community resources are available. Visit this referral handout for more information about resources offered by the college and the community.
Students seeking additional support or guidance can reach out to Blinn’s Foster Care Liaison.
Foster Care Liaison:
979-209-7251
cpscontact@blinn.edu
Please let us know if you would like to be connected to a trained Campus Peer Coach, a student who also has experience in foster care and offers one-on-one coaching sessions to help you navigate college and meet your academic and life goals.
General Information
Tuition and Fee Waiver
Students currently or formerly in foster care in Texas may be eligible for a tuition and fee waiver that covers the cost of tuition and fees at Texas public colleges and universities. This covers all tuition and fees, except for the cost of books and the housing application fee. The student must provide a letter from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) stating their eligibility.
Am I Eligible?
To determine your eligibility, contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and request Form 1810. You can also find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements on the DFPS website. The form will be processed by your regional DFPS Adoption Eligibility Staff or Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Staff.
You may also view the PAL Regional Contact List to connect with a representative who can help verify your waiver eligibility. Students attending the Bryan, RELLIS, and Brenham Blinn campuses should contact the Region 7 PAL representative. Students attending the Schulenburg, Sealy, and Waller campuses should contact Region 6 PAL staff.
How Do I Submit my Waiver to Blinn?
This letter can be received by fax, letter, in person, or emailed as an attachment to tuitionplans@blinn.edu. This exemption will be applied to all future terms the student registers for as long as the student meets the academic requirements.
Need assistance? Email CPSContact@Blinn.edu to be connected with the Foster Care Liaison or a Campus Peer Coach who can help walk you through the process.
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) offers up to $5,000 per year for eligible students and covers many costs not covered by the Tuition and Fee Waiver. These funds can assist with educational and living expenses such as food, housing, textbooks, and more. Check to see if you qualify here.
Financial Aid Book Voucher
Students with excess financial aid through FAFSA may receive a voucher towards required course textbooks and supplies at the Blinn Bookstore. Students can view their book voucher amount by accessing the Financial Aid/Veterans Dashboard in myBLINN. If eligible, the amount appears at the top of the Home Page of the Financial Aid Dashboard. Visit Blinn’s Book Voucher FAQ page for more information.
Emergency Funding & Scholarships
If you have experience in foster care and are seeking emergency financial assistance or scholarship opportunities, the resources below may be able to help. Please note that eligibility requirements vary by organization.
This is not a comprehensive list. For additional resources and support services, please download our Community Resource Guide.
Contact Information
Foster Care Liaison
979-209-7251
cpscontact@blinn.edu