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. Applicants must be a resident of Oklahoma and 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 a high school bordering Oklahoma.
Scholarship Details
- Resident tuition waiver covering the cost of resident tuition for all eligible courses
- Waiver available to eligible students up to 26 years of age or until completion of a bachelor’s degree or program certificate, whichever comes first
- Students are responsible for other fees, including special course fees, student activity fees, and assessment fees
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a resident of Oklahoma
- 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 bordering high school, OR have completed GED requirements
- Must have been in DHS custody for at least nine months between the ages of 16 and 18
- Must be enrolled in a public college, university, or eligible technology center program
Application Process
Eligible students should contact their institution’s financial aid office or the Department of Human Services (DHS) to confirm eligibility and obtain information on applying for the tuition waiver under the Independent Living Act.
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.