Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan expressed his strong support for the final passage of Senate Bill 107, sponsored by Sen. Brian Strickland (R – McDonough), which provides for the waiver of tuition and fees for qualifying foster and adopted students at colleges within the Technical College System of Georgia (“TCSG”).
“Georgia’s children who are in foster care, or adopted, face additional barriers when trying to access higher education opportunities. My commitment from day one has been to remove these barriers, and to ensure that we support their transition into adulthood,” said Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan. “I want to thank Senator Strickland for his commitment to Georgia’s foster care children, and his work on a measure that will bring us one step closer to making Georgia the best state to be a foster child.”
“SB 107 is another great way to help our foster care children and their families by removing the financial barrier of obtaining higher education,” said Sen. Brian Strickland. “I appreciate Lt. Governor Duncan for his leadership on another piece of legislation which confirms that in Georgia we will continue do everything possible to stand up for our young people in foster care and the families that step up to help our most vulnerable Georgians.”
Senate Bill 107 provides that a TCSG public institution must waive tuition and all fees, for eligible foster or adopted students, to cover all costs of attendance which are not covered by available federal and nonfederal student aid sources. The bill further requires DFCS to advertise the availability of the waiver program; provide waiver program application forms to all children and young adults leaving foster care; and assist students attempting to complete the application process. Additionally, the bill provides for in-state tuition at units of USG and TCSG for students from homeless situations who meet certain eligibility criteria. SB 107 now heads to the Governor’s desk for approval.
