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Foster Care Student Program

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Were you a part of the Texas foster care system? We want to support you.

The Foster Care Student Program is here to help Dallas College students who have experienced foster care. We provide a wide range of services to help you succeed and thrive in school and in life.

The Foster Care Student Program will:

  • Provide you with a dedicated staff member on campus to be your main point of contact
  • Help you navigate financial aid, advising and other student services, from the time you enroll through graduation
  • Link you to the resources provided by Student Success and academic support groups

Our Foster Care Student Program is offered at all Dallas College campuses.

 
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Tuition and Fee Exemption

As a Texas foster c​are alumnus, you are eligible to attend college for free through a state tuition and fee exemption.​

 

Get Started

If you have ​​been in the Texas foster care system, learn how we can help you. Contact us.

 

Contact Information

The Foster Care Student Program team can be reached at WeCare@dcccd.edu. To contact the dedicated staff member for your campus, please see individual listings below.

 

Campus Support Staff

Wanda Hawkins

  • Department Staff

Dr. Victoria McWilliams

  • Department Staff

Carol Castillo

  • Department Staff

Niki Lang

  • Department Staff
  • El Centro Campus, room A010
  • 214-860-2385
  • Email Niki

Layonda Millsap

  • Department Staff

Dawn Aldana

  • Department Staff
  • Richland Campus, room T170I
  • 972-238-6052
  • Email Dawn

Maht Barrett

  • Department Staff
  • North Lake Campus, Room A418-C
  • 972-860-3901
  • Email Maht
 

Department Leadership

Jose Yerena

  • Sr. Manager, Foster Care
  • El Centro Campus, room A006
  • 214-860-2650
  • Email Jose

Katy Launius

  • Associate Dean of Support Programs



 

Dr. Dina Sosa-Hegarty

  • Dean of Thriving Learning Communities



 
 

Helpful Resources for Foster Care Alumni

Dallas College Web Links

Other Web Links

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact your PAL (Preparation for Adult Living) caseworker or the PAL supervisor, Rebecca L. Daniel, by phone at 817-255-2311; by email at Rebecca.Daniel@dfps.state.tx.us; or by mail, 951 W. Pipeline Road, Suite310, Hurst, Texas76053.

If you were adopted from foster care or were eligible for adoption at age 14 or older, you may also be eligible for the exemption.

No. You are not eligible for the Texas college tuition and fee exemption if you were in the conservatorship of another state.

Start with the Apply & Register page. You will find information about how to enroll. In addition, you can contact the Foster Care Student Program for additional assistance.

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You need to fill out the application and submit it every year to be eligible for federal financial aid. Take a look at our FAFSA overview. Then, to get started filling out a FAFSA online, go to studentaid.gov.

Start with our Financial Aid Offices. You can also check out the Financial Aid FAQs, which provide answers to many questions. Be sure to read our general overview of financial aid.