BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT HOMELESS YOUTH THAT ACCESS

BEST PRACTICES TO SUPPORT HOMELESS YOUTH THAT ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION Cyekeia Lee, Director of Higher Education Initiatives, NAEHCY NACAC Essentials of Professional Development Program 2016

A Closer Look at the Numbers

How Many Youth Experience Homelessness? National Statistics SY 2013 -2014 1, 301, 239 homeless children and youth enrolled in public schools, pre. K-12 7% increase over the previous year 100% increase since 2006 -2007 recession 13% of all poor school aged children and youth 30% of all extremely poor school aged children and youth Over 90, 000 unaccompanied homeless youth

Eligibility for Mc. Kinney-Vento Rights & Services 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 � Living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds due to the lack of adequate alternative accommodations � Living in emergency or transitional shelters � Awaiting foster care placement (until December 10, 2016)

Eligibility Continued � 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 For more info, see NCHE’s Determining Eligibility brief at www. serve. org/nche/briefs. php

Fixed, Regular, Adequate Fixed: Stationary, permanent, and not subject to change Regular: Used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis (e. g. nightly); consider the relative permanence Adequate: Sufficient for meeting both the physical and psychological needs typically met in home environments Can the student go to the SAME PLACE (fixed) EVERY NIGHT (regular) to sleep in a SAFE AND SUFFICIENT SPACE (adequate)?

Why the Broad Definition? Shelters are often full and turn away youth No shelters in many suburban and rural areas Eligibility rules of often exclude unaccompanied minors Youth may fear adult shelters Shelters often have time limits Youth 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

Homeless Youth and Higher Education Access

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth 2 -step process to determine eligibility 1)Does the student’s living arrangement meet the Mc. Kinney-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”

Paths to Being “On Our Own” Family conflict: blended family issues, pregnancy, sexual activity or orientation, school problems, substance abuse Abuse and/or neglect within the home Parental incarceration, illness, hospitalization, or death Lack of space in temporary situations or shelter policies that prohibit adolescent boys

Paths Continued Child welfare issues � Running away from a placement � Aging out of the system � Significant correlation between involvement with the child welfare system and experiencing homelessness as an adult

Barriers to Higher Education Access q q q q Lack of access to parental financial information and support Lack of financial means to live independently and safely Inability to be financially self-sufficient once enrolled in college Limited housing options, especially in small towns or rural areas Struggling to balance school and other responsibilities Lack of adult guidance and support Lack of information about available support systems

Barriers Identified Through NAEHCY’s Helpline During the 2014 -15 academic year NAEHCY received over 983 calls from students, care takers, community service providers, and homeless and higher education professionals regarding homeless and foster youth 82 calls came in from Michigan, ranks #3 for helpline calls

Barriers Identified Through NAEHCY’s Helpline Top 5 barriers to higher education access for homeless youth in Michigan : Getting a Determination of their unaccompanied homeless youth status FAFSA completion for unaccompanied homeless youth NAEHCY Resources Higher Education Housing Dependency Override Appeals

What Barriers Do You See? What barriers are homeless youth that access higher education experiencing in Michigan? What barriers do homeless youth encounter outside of the school system in Michigan?

Financial Aid and FAFSA Basics 101 Expected family contribution (EFC): Families are expected to contribute to higher education costs to the extent they are able FAFSA � � � New FAFSA release date October 1, (beginning 2016) For dependent students, income and asset information required for both the student and a parent; parental signature required For independent students, no parental signature nor income and asset information is needed

States With The Highest Number of UHY FAFSA Filers 2012 -13 2013 -14 2014 -15* California Texas Illinois Michigan Florida Washington Florida Michigan Florida Washington New York Oregon New York Missouri Ohio North Carolina Georgia

Prior-Prior Tax Information Used to Complete FAFSA Students and parents will now need to include add “Prior-Prior” tax information (Tax information from 2 years prior, beginning October 1, 2016) Resources on new FAFSA release date available for students, parents, and counselors � http: //financialaidtoolkit. ed. gov/tk/announcementdetail. jsp? id=2017 -18 -fafsa-changes.

Example of Prior-Prior Tax Chart

UHY and the FAFSA

ONLINE FAFSA Completion

College Cost Reduction And Act (CCRAA) � Independent student status for unaccompanied homeless youth and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness Can apply for financial aid without parental signature or consideration of parental income Must be determined by: Local liaison RHYA-funded shelter director or designee HUD-funded shelter director or designee College financial aid administrator

Application and Verification Guide Updated Application and Verification Guide released in 2016 Borrows language from NCHE’s Determining Eligibility brief � Student can use the following addresses to complete the FAFSA Address of a reliable friend or relative The college’s administrative address as his/her mailing address, with permission FAA verification � Not required unless there is conflicting information � Documented interview (even via phone) is acceptable �

USDE Dear Colleague Letter Issued July 2015 � UHY may be 24 or younger or still enrolled in high school on the date he/she signs the FAFSA � Focuses attention on if student meets homeless status definition, not on the reason they are homeless � Clarifies the role of the Financial Aid Administrator when making determination of a students homeless status � http: //www. ifap. ed. gov/dpcletters/attachments/GEN 15 16 Attach. pdf

Every Student Succeeds Act Transition to College Provisions All Mc. Kinney-Vento youth must be able to receive individualized counseling from counselors to prepare and improve their readiness for college, including college selection, application, financial aid, and on-campus supports. 11432(g)(1)(K); Guidance Q 1 Liaisons must ensure unaccompanied youth are informed of their FAFSA status as independent students and obtain verification of that status. 11432(g)(6)(A)(x)(III); Guidance Q 2

ESSA Provisions Continued A local liaison may continue to make a determination of a youth’s status as either unaccompanied and homeless, or as selfsupporting and at risk of being homeless, for as long as the liaison has access to the information necessary to make such a determination for a particular youth. 2016 Guidance, Q-2. If a liaison does not have the information that is necessary to make the determination, either because the youth become homeless after high school, or because the liaison is no longer familiar with the youth’s circumstances, the financial aid administrator must make the determination.

Best Practices for Access and Retention

Choosing A School Students have many options to advance education beyond high school Two-year community and junior colleges Four-year colleges and universities Technical, Vocational, or Trade School � http: //studentaid. ed. gov/prepare-for- college/choosing-schools

College Search Tool http: //nces. ed. gov/collegenavigator general school information; tuition, fees, and estimated student expenses; types of financial aid provided; net price; enrollment; admissions requirements; retention and graduation rates; accreditation; campus security statistics; and default rates for students with student loans

Best Campuses for UHY in Michigan Name a 2 -year and/or 4 -year post-secondary education institution that you would refer a unaccompanied homeless youth to attend in your state? Why would you recommend this college/university?

Admissions Requirements Admission’s Advisor � Know the admissions requirements (GPA, GED, ACT, SAT) � Adhere to application deadlines for desired semester � Submit application fee � Submit additional documentation (Essay, or transcript) � Ask about alternative programs if student doesn't meet the general requirements

Help Students Access Fee Reductions and Waivers AP Exam Fee Waiver � SAT Fee Waiver � http: //www. actstudent. org/faq/feewaiver. html NACAC Fee Waiver � https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org/get-in/applying-101/college-application -fee-waivers ACT Fee Waiver � https: //sat. collegeboard. org/register/sat-fee-waivers College Board Application Fee Waiver � https: //professionals. collegeboard. com/testing/waivers/guidelines/ap http: //www. nacacnet. org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default. aspx Check with college for housing, tuition deposit, and admissions fee waivers

Campus Support Services Financial Aid Academic Support Residence Life Admissions College Student Police & Public Safety Registrar Health Services Counseling Services

Community Support Services DHS Public Assistance ETV College Student UHY/FC CMH Shelter Medicaid

Navigating Multiple Support Systems DHS Financial Aid Academic Public Support Assistance Residence Life Admissions ETV College Student from Foster Care Registrar CMH YIT Police & Public Safety Health Services Counseling Services Medicaid

Statewide Networks Convene a meeting with local stakeholders from the Mc. Kinney-Vento K-12, Foster Care, Higher Education, and RHYA/HUD shelter communities as well as other local service providers and advocates Allow each to share knowledge about their area of expertise � UHY and independent student definitions � Financial aid � Campus and community resources Build an action plan for serving UHY that makes sense for your community

NAEHCY Statewide Networks

Best Practices in High School q Focus on FAFSA completion! q FAFSA Week – see www. naehcy. org q Inform unaccompanied youth of college options as soon as they are identified as homeless q Make sure high school counselors know about the FAFSA policies for UHY q Arrange for students to visit local colleges and universities q Use a template for when making determinations – www. naehcy. org q Connect UHY to Gear-Up, Upward Bound, other TRIO programs q http: //www. coenet. us/coe_prod_imis/COE/Home. a spx? hkey=040 cec 49 -d 947 -4110 -b 9 fa-1 f 30 bef 9 c 919

Michigan College Access Network q q State initiative to increase college readiness, participation, and completion among lowincome students, first-generation college-going students, and students of color in Michigan 44 programs across the state Region #10 Oakland/Wayne County � Auburn Hills United College Access Network, Detroit College Access Network, Hazel Park College Access Network, Wayne County College Access Network

Campus Single Point of Contact’s for Homeless Youth Single Point of Contact (SPOC)- a supportive college administrator on each campus who is committed to helping homeless youth (and often foster youth) successfully navigate the college-going process on campuses. SPOCs can be found in the Financial Aid, Counseling, Dean of Students, and Student Support Services offices.

Best Practices on Campus for SPOC’s q q SPOC’s can come from any office on campus Assist students with the following � Admissions � Financial Aid � Academic Advising Remediation, Tutoring � Student Life Housing, Counseling Center, Health Center, TRIO Programs (Talent Search, Upward Bound, EOC, GEAR-UP), Learning Disabilities Services, Life Skills, Financial Literacy, Mentoring Programs

NAEHCY Scholarship How do students apply? http: //naehcy. org/letendre-scholarship-fund/about-thefund Applicants must submit: 1) A completed application form; 2) An essay about the impact of homelessness on their lives and their desire to attend college (500 -1, 000 words) � 3) An official school transcript � 4) A minimum of one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or other adult who can speak to the applicant's qualifications and experiences � New application will be available in January 2017

Other Scholarship Resources Horatio Alger � https: //www. horatioalger. org/scholarships/index. cfm Fastweb � http: //www. fastweb. com/ College Board � https: //bigfuture. collegeboard. org/scholarship-search#! US Department of Labor � http: //www. careerinfonet. org/scholarshipsearch/Schol arship. Category. asp? searchtype=category&nodeid=22 Get Schooled https: //getschooled. com/dashboard

NAEHCY Resources NAEHCY Higher Education Hotline: 855 -446 -2673 http: //www. naehcy. org Text “NAEHCY” to 335577 NAEHCY College Access and Success Toolkit, � http: //naehcy. org/sites/default/files/dl/toolkit. pdf Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Toolkits, FAFSA Week: http: //naehcy. org/tk/cl. html NAEHCY Podcast Series � http: //naehcy. org/educational-resources/podcasts FAFSA Tips for Unaccompanied Youth Without Stable Housing Helping Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Access College Financial Aid Brief

Contact Information Cyekeia Lee, Director of Higher Education Initiatives, clee@naehcy. org