Unaccompanied Homeless Youth on the FAFSA, How Does it Work?

For too many youth, homelessness and FAFSA hurdles can stand in the way of education beyond high school. In Texas, over 110,000 K-12 students were identified as experiencing homelessness in the 2022-2023 school year. The actual number of students experiencing homelessness is likely much higher than we realize as many go unidentified.

Youth who experience homelessness on their own are among the most vulnerable in our nation, often contending with histories of abuse, neglect, trauma, and frequent educational disruption caused by mobility. Without parental care or other adult support, unaccompanied homeless youth frequently lack the basics that most of us take for granted, like shelter and food, and face many hurdles to financial aid. Yet higher education remains their best path to a stable, well-paid job and a better life. Fortunately, the FAFSA Simplification Act and other federal laws provide tools and guidance for working with these students, and SchoolHouseConnection is here to help.

Who is SchoolHouse Connection?

We are a national nonprofit working to overcome homelessness through early care and education, from prenatal through postsecondary. We provide direct assistance in the field of financial aid and the FAFSA, advocacy on both the state and federal levels for policies in education and financial aid.

SchoolHouse Connection also offers a scholarship program that includes an award, monthly stipends, three all-expenses-paid trips, one-on-one support from SchoolHouse Connection staff, and opportunities to engage in state and federal policy advocacy.

Criteria for unaccompanied homeless youth

A student needs to meet certain definitions. They can either be unaccompanied and homeless, or they can be unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness.

• Unaccompanied – not in the custody of a parent or legal guardian.
• Homeless – lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
• Self-supporting – provides for all their expenses, including fixed, regular, and adequate housing.
• At-Risk of Homelessness – housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate.
• Youth – dependent by age (less than 24 years of age).

One of the most common examples of students meeting the definitions for unaccompanied homeless youth includes temporarily staying with others because they have no other place to go (otherwise known as couch surfing or being doubled up). Students can also be staying in a car, shelter, on the street, or in a residence hall but would otherwise have no other place to go, or other examples listed here.

What is the process for the FAFSA? 

If a student meets the unaccompanied homeless youth definitions, they can select “yes” to the question on the FAFSA asking if, since July 1st, they have experienced homelessness. They will then need to follow up with the financial aid office at their college or university.

If a student is experiencing homelessness with their family, they will select “no” on the FAFSA and continue with parent information because they do not meet the definition of unaccompanied.

Changes from the FAFSA Simplification require financial aid administrators to accept a determination from more people. If any of the following authorized entities provide a determination to the financial aid office, no further verification should be needed to move forward as an independent student. The authorized entities are:

• McKinney-Vento liaison or their designee,
• Director or designee of a director of a program or shelter that serves individuals experiencing homelessness,
• Director or designee of a director of a TRIO or GEAR UP program,
• Financial aid administrator at a current institution or another institution who previously made a determination.

SchoolHouse Connection provides a free sample determination letter for authorized entities to provide determinations for students experiencing homelessness. The student just needs to fill out the FAFSA as an independent student, then give a signed determination letter to the financial aid office.

What can you do?

• Inform students about the FAFSA.
• If you are an authorized entity or their designee: identify unaccompanied homeless youth and provide determination to them as soon as possible.
• Hold professional development training sessions for you and your team.
• Partner with Mckinney-Vento liaisons, financial aid administrators, homeless service providers, and more to build strong connections and referral processes.

Resources

• SchoolHouse Connection FAFSA Page
• Strategies for Accessing Financial Aid
• Child and Youth Homelessness Data Profiles
• SchoolHouse Connection Youth Leadership Scholarship program
• Updated Federal FAFSA Guidance for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth – as of July 19, 2024

Guest Author: Caleb McKay, FAFSA Completion Senior Manager at SchoolHouse Connection

As the FAFSA Completion Senior Manager at SchoolHouse Connection, Caleb provides practical assistance and guidance to higher education and K-12 staff working with students experiencing homelessness. Caleb holds two bachelor’s degrees from Greenville University. Caleb began his career with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), where he assisted low-income and first-generation students and families through the financial aid and college admissions processes. He has also worked in the financial aid office at Front Range Community College, the largest community college in Colorado. He served as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and was heavily involved on the board of directors for the Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA). Caleb has a passion for using his knowledge and experience to serve underserved students and communities.