Christina Dukes, Program Specialist,[email protected] Moore, Program Specialist,[email protected]
SUPPORTING UNACCOMPANIED
HOMELESS YOUTH IN ACCESSING HIGHER
EDUCATION
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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, [email protected] 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
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What is the McKinney-Vento Act?Who are unaccompanied homeless youth?Unaccompanied homeless youth and the
FAFSAResources
TODAY’S PLAN
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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
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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
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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?
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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?
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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”?
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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?
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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”
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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
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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”
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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
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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
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2012-2013 ONLINE FAFSA
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2012-2013 ONLINE FAFSA
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2012-13 PDF FAFSA
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NOTES FROM THE 2012-13 PDF FAFSA
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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
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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
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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