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See Your Future at Â鶹ӳ»­

Cardinal Fostering Futures supports newly admitted students with foster care experience or SEFC as they transition to Â鶹ӳ»­ and connect with dedicated support through our foster care liaison. Throughout their time at Â鶹ӳ»­, our SEFC receive individualized guidance and access to resources that help them build a plan for academic, personal, and professional success.

We are a university that promotes involvement beyond campus boundaries, connecting students with the local community while fostering meaningful relationships and a vibrant campus experience that puts students first. Through Cardinal Fostering Futures, students are connected to resources including academic support, housing assistance, food resources, financial guidance, wellness and mental health services, career development, community connections, and life skills support. Students may also qualify for financial assistance programs such as the Texas Tuition and Fee Waiver, Education and Training Voucher (ETV), FAFSA or TASFA funding, and scholarships. These structured connections help you access campus resources, build meaningful relationships, and prioritize well-being and academic success throughout your journey at Â鶹ӳ»­.

Every Student Deserves the Chance to Earn a Degree

• Students who have experienced foster care face barriers when attending college. Only 2-12% earn a bachelor's degree vs. nearly 50% of general population (Okypch et al., 2025).
• Texas provides a tuition & fee waiver - but 40% of eligible youth don't use it (Watt et al., 2024).
• SEFC have asked to connect with peers with lived experience and with people who understand their experience (Geenen et al., 2015; Salazar et al., 2024). 
• Peer support potentially reduces stigma and encourages help-seeking (Kees et al., 2017).

Student Checklist

Step 1: Complete the .

Please answer the following question on the application: "At any time in your life were you placed in foster care or adopted from foster care in Texas?"

Step 2: Submit your official transcripts.

Official transcripts showing your completed high school and/or college course work are required to complete your application. High school transcripts reflecting dual credit classes completed in high school are not sufficient to award college-level credit; an official college transcript is also required.

Transcripts are considered official if received in an envelope sealed by the school, by email from a school official, or through an approved electronic transcript service (Naviance, Parchment, TREX, etc.). Transcripts received directly from students by email will not be accepted or acknowledged.

Each institution will have its own transcript request process, which may usually be found on the registrar's website. Official transcripts will only be accepted if sent directly by mail or electronic service (Parchment, National Student Clearinghouse, etc.) from the institution or delivered to us in an envelope sealed by the institution.

Transcripts must be in an envelope that has been sealed by the issuing institution.

By Mail:
Â鶹ӳ»­
Office of Admissions
P.O. Box 10009
Beaumont TX 77710

By Courier:
Â鶹ӳ»­
Office of Admissions
211 Redbird Ln
Beaumont, TX 77710

Transcripts may also be sent electronically by a school official to luadmtran@lamar.edu or to directly to your Admissions Counselor.

Transcripts may also be dropped off at the Welcome Center as long as they are in an official, sealed envelope.

Â鶹ӳ»­ Welcome Center
1032 Jim Gilligan Way
Beaumont, Texas 77705

Step 3: Check your .

If you've applied and haven't received your college acceptance letter, then you can check your admission status online, .

Step 4: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ().

When completing your FAFSA, make sure to mark that you were a ward of the state to qualify for the full Pell Grant. You can complete your FAFSA, .

Step 5: Apply for the Tuition & Fee Waiver. 

This is a state law that exempts or waives payment of tuition and fees at state supported colleges or universities for foster youth currently or formerly in the conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and for those adopted from DFPS. To access the Tuition and Fee Waiver, contact your State PAL Coordinator or Student Assistance Services, then email the completed form at studentbusiness@lamar.edu. 

Eryka Middleton

PAL Coordinator for SSCC/Texas Family Care Network

1128 N. Memorial Freeway, Suite A

Nederland, TX 77627

(409) 728-1128

Step 6: Apply for the TDFPS Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program.

The ETV is to help offset any extra bills you may have as a student. The amount awarded is up to $5,000.00 a school year. For more information, go to ETV Program page on the DFPS website:  

Step 7: Make an appointment with our foster care liaison.

Our foster care liaison is here to help with your transition and your success during your time at LU. Contact Ms. Nini Tran to set up an appointment.

Email: ntran6@lamar.edu

Phone: (409) 880-7668

Financial Support for SEFC

State of Texas Tuition and Fee Waiver

Students who have a history of foster care in the State of Texas may be eligible to receive a Tuition and Fee Waiver from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It’s a document that is provided and signed by the DFPS that will waive the college tuition and fees for students who qualify in the State of Texas.

Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV)

An important type of federal support is the Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV). The ETV program allows states to distribute up to $5,000 per year to eligible youth to support their higher education pursuits. Higher education institutions that qualify include private and public four-year
universities, community colleges, and vocational schools. Students may receive ETV funds for up to five years (or until age 26), if they maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

Transitional Living Services

Transitional Living Services, supported by the Chafee Act, provide services designed to support youth and adults who experienced foster care from age 14 up to age 23. Most relevant to foster care and higher education, is the Extended Foster Care program, which offers support to youth as they transition out of care from age 18 to 21. Texas is one of 33 states offering Extended Foster Care, which was adopted and expanded after the passage of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. A primary benefit established by this act is Supervised Independent Living. Supervised Independent Living is a voluntary program that allows young adults 18 through 21 to remain in care and receive housing and other services, but in a non-traditional, less restrictive environment. Young adults placed in Supervised Independent Living settings have minimal supervision and case management. This arrangement allows young adults to practice independent living skills and achieve self-sufficiency in a supportive environment before leaving foster care.

Required Documents

Under the State of Texas law, you should have received your identification documents when you turned 16. If you did not receive the following documents, then please contact your Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) worker and liaison to obtain these documents.

• DFPS Waiver - Share with registrar
• Transcripts
• Birth certificate
• Social Security card
• Texas state identification card or driver's license
• Immunization records

Students under the age of 22 must receive a vaccination against bacterial meningitis.

StudentLingo

Success Workshops Now Available for LU Students

The Center for Academic Success (CAS) is excited to offer StudentLingo online student workshops to all Â鶹ӳ»­ students. These workshops are available through our Innovative Educators StudentLingo website at no extra charge to our students and can empower our students to excel academically by closing skill gaps.

There are 20 workshops available. Students can view all 20 workshops which are available on demand. All that students need to do is create an account at  and choose the sessions they find interesting and beneficial.