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Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness. Christina Dukes, NCHE cdukes@serve.org Jennifer Martin, NASFAA martinj@nasfaa.org. Meet NCHE and NASFAA.

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Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness

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  1. Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness Christina Dukes, NCHE cdukes@serve.org Jennifer Martin, NASFAA martinj@nasfaa.org
  2. Meet NCHE and NASFAA 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; www.serve.org/nche The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) supports the training, diversity, and professional development of financial aid administrators; advocates for public policies and programs that increase student access to and success in postsecondary education; and serves as a forum for communication and collaboration on student financial aid issues; www.nasfaa.org
  3. RAISE OF HANDS What do you consider yourcurrent knowledge level to be regardingcollege access for homeless students? Expert Average Beginner Ummm, what’s college access?
  4. Session Outline Dealing with application expenses Advanced Placement exam fees College entrance exam fees (SAT and ACT) College application fees Seeking financial aid and scholarships The FAFSA for “accompanied” and unaccompanied homeless students Private scholarships State-specific opportunities Options for undocumented homeless students
  5. Foundational Documents The McKinney-Vento Act; available at www.serve.org/nche/legis/mv.php The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), available at www.fafsa.ed.gov The Application and Verification Guide (AVG) (Chapter 5, Special Cases), available at www.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php
  6. NAEHCY Higher Education Toolkit College Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness: A Toolkit for Educators and Service Providers www.naehcy.org/educational-resources/he-toolkit Chapter 1: Introduction and Context Chapter 2: Choosing a College Chapter 3: Fee Waivers Chapter 4: Federal Aid Chapter 5: Beyond Federal Aid Chapter 6: Supporting Student Success in College Appendices with practical tools and resources
  7. NAEHCY Higher Education Helpline 1 (855) 446-2673 (TOLL-FREE) highered@naehcy.org
  8. College Admissions Checklist Take Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if applicable Take college entrance exam(s) (SAT and/or ACT) Complete and submit college applications Complete and submit the FAFSA Complete and submit applications for private scholarships More information is available from the College Board: “Applying 101”: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying “Financial Aid 101”: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/financial-aid
  9. Fee Waivers
  10. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Most four-year colleges in the United States and colleges in more than 60 other countries give students credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of AP Exam scores; however Each college or university may set its own policy as to which tests they will accept for credit, how much credit they will give, and what score is required to get credit.
  11. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: AP exam fee waivers are available for eligible students with no limit on the number of waivers per student To qualify for an AP exam fee waiver: The student receives or is eligible to receive free or reduced price lunch; The student's family receives TANF assistance; or The student is eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program
  12. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Waivers are administered at the school; speak with your school’s AP Coordinator Additional information is available at http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/waivers/guidelines/ap
  13. College Entrance Exam:The ACT To qualify for an ACT fee waiver, the student: Must be enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade Must be a U.S. citizen (if testing abroad) or be testing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory Must meet one or more of the following indicators of economic need: Student is receiving free/reduced lunch Family income is below the USDA reduced-price lunch level Student is enrolled in TRIO or a similar program Family lives in subsidized housing or receives public assistance Student is experiencing homelessness Student is living in a foster home Student is a ward of the state or is an orphan
  14. College Entrance Exam:The ACT Student can use the waiver to take the ACT up to two times The waiver is sent to high schools each summer; students must access the waiver from the school counselor, not from ACT The waiver covers the basic test fees, including sending the test score(s) to up to four colleges; does not cover late registration fees or change fees Additional information is available at www.actstudent.org/faq/feewaiver.html A sample fee waiver is available at http://media.act.org/documents/feewaiver.pdf
  15. College Entrance Exam:The SAT To qualify for an SAT fee waiver, the student must: Be enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade (SAT) or in grades 9-12 (SAT Subject Tests) Be a U.S. citizen (if testing abroad) or be testing in the U.S., Puerto Rico, or a U.S. territory Meet one or more indicator(s) of economic need (same as for the ACT fee waiver)
  16. College Entrance Exam:The SAT The waiver must be obtained from the student’s high school counselor or an authorized agency, not from the College Board The student can receive up to four waiver cards: Up to two waivers for the SAT and two waivers for SAT Subject Tests The waiver covers the basic test fees, including sending the test score(s) to up to four colleges; does not cover late registration fees or change fees Additional information is available at http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-fee-waivers
  17. College Application Fees College Board program Students who qualify for the College Board’s SAT fee waiver also qualify to receive up to four Request for Waiver of College Application Fee forms Forms should be included with the students’ college applications and sent to colleges included in the Directory of Colleges Cooperating with the SAT Program Fee-Waiver Service Additional information is available athttp://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/fee-waivers
  18. College Application Fees National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) form To be completed with the help of the high school counselor For graduating high school seniors entering college in the fall Same eligibility criteria as the ACT and SAT waiver programs Can be based on income and/or the counselor’s knowledge of the family’s circumstances Additional information is available at www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx
  19. College Application Fees Most colleges accept the College Board or NACAC waiver forms; however, individual institutions may have their own fee waiver policies that vary Some colleges do not charge application fees for students that apply online NCHE does not recommend using McKinney-Vento subgrant funds or Title IA set-aside funds to pay for AP exam, college entrance exam, or college application fees
  20. Questions?
  21. The FAFSA
  22. RAISE OF HANDS Describe your experience working with unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) toaccess federal financial aid? I have worked with UHY; our efforts were successful I have worked with UHY; our efforts were met with resistance I have not yet worked with UHY on financial aid issues Ummm, what’s an UHY?
  23. FAFSA Basics FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid The official FAFSA web address is www.fafsa.ed.gov Students applying for federal aid must complete a FAFSA for each school year for which they are seeking federal aid
  24. FAFSA Basics A new FAFSA is released each January for the upcoming school year Example: 2013-2014 FAFSA Released in January 2013 Valid for students attending school for Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 Treatment of the Summer term depends on the school
  25. Calculation of Federal Aid EFC = Expected Family Contribution Based on the information submittedon the FAFSA, the U.S. Department ofEducation calculates the EFC Dependent Student Must report parent information on FAFSA EFC is based on parents’ and student’sincome and assets Independent Student Does NOT report parent information on FAFSA EFC is based on student’s income and assets
  26. Who is Independent? Independent if ANY of these are true: Married 24 years old Veteran or on active duty Graduate student Has a legal dependent (child/other) Orphan/Ward of the court/In a legal guardianship Legally emancipated minor In foster care at age 13 or older Unaccompanied homeless youth Independent by “dependency override” as determined by the Financial Aid Administrator
  27. “Accompanied” Homeless Youth Students experiencing homelessness with their family fill out the FAFSA as dependent students Living arrangement meets the M-V definition of homeless In the physical custody of a parent or guardian
  28. “Accompanied” Homeless Youth Need parent signature The EFC is based on family income and assets Homeless students from low-income families likely will qualify for a beneficial aid package Example: The EFC Formula, 2013-2014 explains that students who received free school meals in 2011 or 2012, and whose parents’ 2012 income is less than $24,000, quality for a $0 EFC Additional information is available at http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/091312EFCFormulaGuide1314.pdf
  29. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Unaccompanied homeless youth fill out the FAFSA as independent students Homeless: Living arrangement meets the M-V definition of homeless Unaccompanied: Not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian Youth: 21 or younger or still enrolled in high school on the date he/she signs the FAFSA Ages 22-23: Requires a dependency override 24 or older: Automatic independent status
  30. At Risk of Homelessness Unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness fill out the FAFSA as independent students At risk of homelessness: When a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student who is being evicted and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing. Unaccompanied: Not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian Youth: 21 or younger or still enrolled in high school on the date he/she signs the FAFSA
  31. Independent Homeless Youth Do not need to provide information on parental income and assets Do not need a parental signature Do provide information on their own income and assets Independent status is not equivalent to free tuition; however, the EFC is calculated proportional to what the student can provide based on his/her resources
  32. Determiners of Independent Status Local homeless education liaison; for students graduating from high school who were identified as an UHY while in high school U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shelter director or designee; for students who have received services Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) shelter director or designee; for students who have received services Financial Aid Administrator (FAA); for any student, but particularly those who cannot get a determination from one of the other three authorized parties
  33. According to the AVG…The Financial Aid Administrator If a student does not have, and cannot get, a determination from a local liaison, RHYA provider, or HUD provider, a FAA must make a determination of unaccompanied homeless youth status If a student meets the definition of UHY, this is not a “dependency override”; this is determining the independent student status of an unaccompanied homeless youth
  34. According to the AVG…FAA Determinations Verification of “yes” answers to the unaccompanied homeless youth questions on the FAFSA is not required unless there is conflicting information A FAA may determine a student’s status with a documented interview
  35. According to the AVG…FAA Determinations Encourages discretion and sensitivity when gathering information Some information may be confidential(e.g., protected by doctor-patient privilege) Child welfare and/or law enforcement reports are not necessary Recommends consulting with local liaisons, State Coordinators, NCHE, school counselors, clergy, etc.
  36. 2013-2014 Online FAFSA Online FAFSA includes four questions regarding unaccompanied homeless youth, including for youth who have no determination as of yet Encourage UHY to complete the FAFSA online
  37. 2013-2014 PDF/Paper FAFSA PDF FAFSA includes only 3 UHY-related questions
  38. 2013-2014 PDF/Paper FAFSA A student without a determination of independent status must respond “no” to UHY questions and follow up with the FAA
  39. Top FAFSA Errors forHomeless Youth Student doesn’t sign the application Name reported on the FAFSA does not match name in Social Security Administration records Report adjusted gross income equal to taxes paid
  40. Tools NAEHCY Template (Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Documentation of Independent Student Status for the FAFSA) available at www.naehcy.org/educational-resources/higher-ed NCHE/NAEHCY FAA Tool (Making Student Status Determinations for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Eligibility Tool for Financial Aid Administrators) available at www.serve.org/nche/pr/faa_tool.php
  41. Questions?
  42. Scholarships,State Resources,Undocumented Students
  43. Private Scholarships Check with the high school’s guidance counselor for a list of private scholarships available to area students The LeTendre Education Fund Scholarship: www.naehcy.org/letendre-scholarship-fund/about-the-fund Give Us Your Poor/Horatio Alger Scholarship: www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/
  44. Private Scholarships Free scholarship search engines: Fastweb!: www.fastweb.com/ College Board: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search U.S. Department of Education: http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships (includes scholarship search tips and guidelines)
  45. State Resources Some states have special provisions available for low-income and/or homeless students: Indiana: Students receiving free lunch receive a tuition waiver when participating in Indiana’s Double Up Program (dual enrollment in college courses for students in 11th and 12th grade)www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title21/ar14/ch8.html Florida: Homeless students are exempt from the payment of tuition and fees at a school district that provides postsecondary career programs, community college, or state university (2011 F.S. 1009.25); restrictions applyhttp://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=1000-1099/1009/Sections/1009.25.html
  46. Other Considerations Encourage the student to consider a variety of institutions with different “price points” A student may not be able to afford a particular institution, but other good college options may be available A student may start at a community college and transfer to a four-year college at a later time, but needs to have a solid and informed transition plan Consider housing options if looking into a school without dorms
  47. RAISE OF HANDS In your experience, how accessible ishigher education for undocumented studentsin your state? Very accessible Somewhat accessible Not accessible at all Ummm, what’s an undocumented student?
  48. Undocumented Students Undocumented student Not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident Does not possess a green card, visa, or other legal documentation Undocumented students may face obstacles in three areas: College admission Tuition Financial aid
  49. College Admission Access to higher education for undocumented students is highly state-specific and institution-specific No federal law prohibiting the admission of undocumented students into U.S. colleges and universities Some states permit the admission of undocumented students into state institutions Some private institutions permit the admission of undocumented students Some states or institutions admit undocumented students but treat them as out-of-state or foreign students, making them ineligible for state aid and in-state tuition
  50. College Tuition Some states charge undocumented students out-of-state tuition fees Some states permit undocumented students to pay in-state tuition under certain circumstances Example: California permits undocumented students to pay in-state tuition if the student has attended a state high school for three or more years, has graduated from a state high school, and signs an affidavit promising to file an application to legalize his/her immigration status
  51. Financial Aid forUndocumented Students Undocumented students are not eligible to receive federally funded financial aid Undocumented students are not eligible for state aid in most states; a handful of states grant eligibility for state aid to undocumented students who qualify for in-state tuition Private colleges and universities set their own financial aid policies; some grant scholarships and other aid to undocumented students Many, but not all, private scholarships require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal residents
  52. A Glance at the States From Reconciling Federal, State, and Institutional Policies Determining Educational Access for Undocumented Students: Implications for Professional Practice, available at www.nasfaa.org/research/member-surveys/Reconciling_Federal,_State,_and_Institutional_Policies_Determining_Educational_Access_for_Undocumented_Students__Implications_for_Professional_Practice.aspx Let’s take a quick glance…
  53. More Information Visit http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financial-aid/undocumented-students and http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/diversity/Repository-Resources-Undocumented-Students_2012.pdf for more information, including: Information on state laws regarding college access for undocumented students A list of scholarships available to all students, regardless of immigration status
  54. Final Questions?
  55. RAISE OF HANDS What is your most valuable “take-home” point from today’s session? Information on fee waivers Information on the FAFSA Information on private scholarships and state opportunities Information on undocumented students All of the above Ummm, what? Sorry, I was napping.
  56. Additional Resources Learn more about TRIO at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/index.html Learn more about GEAR UP at http://www2.ed.gov/programs/gearup/index.html
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