National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators © NASFAA 2011 The following is a presentation prepared for NASFAA’s 2011 Conference in Boston, MA July 17-20, 2011

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators © NASFAA 2011 Being Their Advocate: Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access Higher Education

Slide 3 © NASFAA 2011 How many youth experience homelessness on their own? 1.6 to 1.7 million youth Public schools 956,914 homeless children/youth in – 41% increase over past two years – 69% increase for unaccompanied youth

4 Homelessness and Foster Care What’s the Connection? 22% of homeless children are put into foster care 30% of children in foster care could return home if their parents had access to housing. Approximately 27% of homeless adults and 41% of homeless youth report a foster care history. 25% of youth “aging out” of foster care experience homelessness.

Who is considered homeless? Anyone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence— –Sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or similar reason –Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to lack of adequate alternative accommodations –Living in emergency or transitional shelters –Abandoned in hospitals

Who are Unaccompanied Homeless Youth? Defining Homelessness Unaccompanied Not in the physical custody of parents Homeless Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence Children and youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence Youth Under 21 years of age

Slide 7 © NASFAA 2011 Agenda Implementing changes made by the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) Who are McKinley-Vento Act professionals? How can McKinley-Vento Act professionals and aid administrators work together? Brainstorming

Slide 8 © NASFAA 2011 Expanded Definition of Independent Student Unaccompanied homeless youth Youth in foster care at any time after age 13 or older Emancipated minors and students in legal guardianships

Slide 9 © NASFAA 2011 Impact on Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Slide 10 © NASFAA 2011 Certifying a Student’s Status McKinney-Vento Act school district liaison U.S. Department of Health and Urban Development (HUD) homeless assistance program director or designee

Slide 11 © NASFAA 2011 Certifying a Student’s Status Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) program director or their designee Financial aid administrators

Slide 12 © NASFAA 2011 Verifying the Status of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Verification not required When is verification appropriate? Documenting status

Slide 13 © NASFAA 2011 Who are McKinney-Vento Act Professionals?

Slide 14 © NASFAA 2011 McKinney-Vento/ Title X, Part C of NCLB Reauthorized in 2002 as Title X, Part C of No Child Left Behind Mandated that state and local educational agencies change policies and practices that create barriers to the access and success of homeless children and youth in public schools

Slide 15 © NASFAA 2011 McKinney Vento Overview Main themes: School stability School access Support for academic success Child-centered, best interest decision making

Slide 16 © NASFAA 2011 McKinney-Vento Act Educational Rights By law, Districts must: Appoint a homeless education liaison Assist in school enrollment and placement Enrolled students immediately Facilitate dispute resolution processes Connect students with school and community resources Review and revise district policies to address barriers

Slide 17 © NASFAA 2011 Finding the McKinney-Vento District Liaison Check school district directories or websites Contact your State Coordinator for Homeless Education: Contact NCHE

Slide 18 © NASFAA 2011 Training Opportunities National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) Webinars –October 5, 2011, and February 9, 2012 Conferences

Slide 19 © NASFAA 2011 Regular Communication NASFAA representative on National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Encourage communication between state liaisons and financial aid associations

Slide 20 © NASFAA 2011 Working Together to Provide Services to Students Identify a safe single point of contact (SPOC) at each postsecondary institution Develop streamlined approach for other campus services Centrally store personal documentation Single form for verification within same academic year

Slide 22 © NASFAA 2011 Contact Us Jennifer Martin, Misti Ruthven, Dana Scott,