Christina Dukes, Program Specialist,cdukes@serve.orgJan Moore, Program Specialist,jmoore@serve.org

SUPPORTING UNACCOMPANIED

HOMELESS YOUTH IN ACCESSING HIGHER

EDUCATION

Slide 2

The National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) is the U.S. Department of Education’s technical assistance and information center in the area of homeless education Comprehensive website: www.serve.org/nche Helpline: 800-308-2145, homeless@serve.org Monthly webinars:

www.serve.org/nche/web/group.php Free publications and products:

www.serve.org/nche/products.php Face-to-face trainings

MEET NCHE

Slide 3

What is the McKinney-Vento Act?Who are unaccompanied homeless youth?Unaccompanied homeless youth and the

FAFSAResources

TODAY’S PLAN

Slide 4

The McKinney-Vento Act and Policy Guidance, available at http://center.serve.org/nche/m-v.php

The Application and Verification Guide (AVG), available at http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php

FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS

Slide 5

Title X, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)

Applies to K-12 public schools; some Pre-K provisions

Key themes Support for school access and success School stability Child-centered, best interest decisionmaking

Establishes the definition of unaccompanied and homeless used in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act

THE MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT

Slide 6

Children or youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including:Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason (“doubling up”)

Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations

Living in emergency or transitional shelters

WHO IS HOMELESS?

Slide 7

Awaiting foster care placement (less applicable for higher ed issues due to the CCRAA’s provision on kids in foster care at age 13 or older)

Living in a public or private place not designed for humans to live

Living in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or a similar setting

Migratory children living in the above circumstances

Unaccompanied youth living in the above circumstances

WHO IS HOMELESS?

Slide 8

Shelters are often full, turning youth awayThere are no shelters in many suburban and rural

areasEligibility rules of shelters often exclude

unaccompanied minorsYouth may fear adult sheltersShelters often have 30-, 60-, or 90-day time limitsYouth may be unaware of alternatives, fleeing in

crisis, living in over-crowded, temporary, and sometimes unsafe environments

Shelters often are a last resort after all other possibilities are exhausted

WHY THE“BROAD DEFINITION”?

Slide 9

2-step process1. Does the student’s living arrangement meet the

McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of homeless?2. Once homelessness is determined, is the student

unaccompanied?Unaccompanied = “not in the physical custody

of a parent or guardian”Students can be eligible regardless of whether

they were forced from the home or left the homeYouth or parents may or may not disclose the

full nature of the family issues; these are often very personal discussions

WHO ARE UNACCOMPANIED STUDENTS?

Slide 10

Longstanding patterns of family conflict: blended family issues, pregnancy, sexual activity or orientation, alcohol/drug use

Abuse and/or neglect within the homeParental incarceration, substance abuse, illness,

hospitalization, or deathFoster care: running away from a foster care

placement, aging out of the foster care system without a network of support and the necessary skills to live independently

Some students become homeless with their families, but end up on their own due to lack of space in temporary accommodations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boys

PATHS TO BEING“ON YOUR OWN”

Slide 11

College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student AidEFC = Expected Family ContributionDependent Student

Must report parent information on FAFSA EFC is calculated based on parents’ and student’s income

Independent Student Does NOT report parent information on FAFSA EFC is calculated based on student’s income

Youth = age 21 or younger; age 22-23 can be independent by dependency override

HIGHER EDUCATION BASICS

Slide 12

Independent if ANY of these are true:Married24 Years OldVeteran Or On Active DutyGraduate StudentHas a Legal Dependent (child/other)Orphan/Ward of the Court/In a Legal GuardianshipLegally Emancipated Minor In foster care at age 13 or olderUnaccompanied Homeless Youth Independent by Professional Judgment

CLASSIFICATION AS “INDEPENDENT”

Slide 13

Must be determined by:Local liaison (graduating high school seniors)Runaway and Homeless Youth Act funded shelter director or designee (where youth received services)

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funded shelter director or designee (where youth received services)

College Financial Aid Administrator

DETERMINING INDEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS FOR UHY

Slide 14

CCRAA uses the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless

Includes a student living in the dorms if he/she would otherwise be homeless

Includes a homeless student fleeing an abusive parent, even if the parent would provide housing and support

INDEPENDENT STATUS FOR UNACCOMPANIED STUDENTS

Slide 15

2012-2013 ONLINE FAFSA

Slide 16

2012-2013 ONLINE FAFSA

Slide 17

2012-13 PDF FAFSA

Slide 18

NOTES FROM THE 2012-13 PDF FAFSA

Slide 19

Guidance on verification by FAAsVerification of “yes” answers on the FAFSA is not required unless there is conflicting information

FAA may verify the status with a documented interview with the student

Encourages discretion and sensitivity when gathering informationSome information may be confidential (e.g., protected by doctor-patient privilege)

Child welfare or police reports are not necessaryRecommends consulting with local liaisons, State Coordinators, NCHE, school counselors, clergy, etc.

Eligibility determinations may be appealed to the school or the U.S. Department of Education

2011-12 APPLICATION AND VERIFICATION GUIDE

Slide 20

Become familiar with the Application and Verification Guide

Become familiar with the McKinney-Vento Act’s definition of homeless and apply it to students’ circumstances on a case-by-case basis

Depending on your role Consult with Financial Aid Administrators, as needed Be reasonable and sensitive when requesting

information from studentsAdvocate!

DETERMINING INDEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS

Slide 21

NCHE website:http://center.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php

http://center.serve.org/nche/best/higher_ed.phpNational Association for the Education of

Homeless Children and Youth:http://www.naehcy.org/higher_ed.html

http://www.naehcy.org/tk/tk.html National Association of Student Financial

Aid Administrators:http://www.nasfaa.org/

RESOURCES