Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
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Christina Dukes, NCHE [email protected] Jennifer Martin, NASFAA [email protected] PAVING THE WAY TO COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
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Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness. Christina Dukes, NCHE [email protected] Jennifer Martin, NASFAA [email protected]. Meet NCHE and NASFAA. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Christina Dukes, [email protected]
Jennifer Martin, [email protected]
PAVING THE WAY TO COLLEGE FOR
STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
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
What do you consider yourcurrent knowledge level to be regarding
college access for homeless students?1. Expert2. Average3. Beginner4. Ummm, what’s college access?
RAISE OF HANDS
Dealing with application expensesAdvanced Placement exam feesCollege entrance exam fees (SAT and ACT)College application fees
Seeking financial aid and scholarshipsThe FAFSA for “accompanied” and unaccompanied
homeless studentsPrivate scholarshipsState-specific opportunities
Options for undocumented homeless students
SESSION OUTLINE
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
FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENTS
College Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness: A Toolkit for Educators and Service Providerswww.naehcy.org/educational-resources/he-toolkit
Chapter 1: Introduction and ContextChapter 2: Choosing a CollegeChapter 3: Fee WaiversChapter 4: Federal AidChapter 5: Beyond Federal AidChapter 6: Supporting Student Success in CollegeAppendices with practical tools and resources
NAEHCY HIGHER EDUCATION TOOLKIT
Take Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if applicableTake college entrance exam(s) (SAT and/or ACT)Complete and submit college applicationsComplete and submit the FAFSAComplete and submit applications for private
scholarshipsMore 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
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
FEE WAIVERS
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.
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; orThe student is eligible to receive medical assistance
under the Medicaid program
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
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM:THE ACT
To qualify for an ACT fee waiver, the student: Must be enrolled in high school in the 11 th 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
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
COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAM:THE SAT
To qualify for an SAT fee waiver, the student must:Be enrolled in high school in the 11 th
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)
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
COLLEGE APPLICATION FEES
College Board programStudents 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 at http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/fee-waivers
COLLEGE APPLICATION FEES
National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) formTo 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 programsCan be based on income and/or the counselor’s knowledge of
the family’s circumstancesAdditional information is available at
www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/feewaiver/Pages/default.aspx
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
QUESTIONS?
THE FAFSA
RAISE OF HANDS
Describe your experience working with unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) to
access federal financial aid?1. I have worked with UHY; our efforts were successful2. I have worked with UHY; our efforts were met with
resistance3. I have not yet worked with UHY on financial aid issues4. Ummm, what’s an UHY?
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student AidThe 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
FAFSA BASICS
A new FAFSA is released each January for the upcoming school year
Example: 2013-2014 FAFSAReleased in January 2013Valid for students attending school for Fall 2013 and
Spring 2014Treatment of the Summer term depends on the school
FAFSA BASICS
EFC = Expected Family ContributionBased on the information submitted
on the FAFSA, the U.S. Department ofEducation calculates the EFC
Dependent StudentMust report parent information on FAFSAEFC is based on parents’ and student’s
income and assetsIndependent Student
Does NOT report parent information on FAFSAEFC is based on student’s income and assets
CALCULATION OF FEDERAL AID
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 guardianship Legally emancipated minor In foster care at age 13 or olderUnaccompanied homeless youth Independent by “dependency override” as determined by
the Financial Aid Administrator
WHO IS INDEPENDENT?
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
“ACCOMPANIED” HOMELESS YOUTH
Need parent signatureThe EFC is based on family income and assetsHomeless 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
“ACCOMPANIED” HOMELESS YOUTH
Unaccompanied homeless youth fill out the FAFSA as independent studentsHomeless: Living arrangement meets the M-V definition
of homelessUnaccompanied: Not in the physical custody of a parent
or guardianYouth: 21 or younger or still enrolled in high school on
the date he/she signs the FAFSAAges 22-23: Requires a dependency override24 or older: Automatic independent status
UNACCOMPANIED HOMELESS YOUTH
Unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness fill out the FAFSA as independent studentsAt 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
AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS
Do not need to provide information on parental income and assets
Do not need a parental signatureDo provide information on their own
income and assetsIndependent status is not equivalent
to free tuition; however, the EFC is calculated proportional to what the student can provide based on his/her resources
INDEPENDENT HOMELESS YOUTH
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
DETERMINERS OF INDEPENDENT STATUS
ACCORDING TO THE AVG…THE FINANCIAL AID
ADMINISTRATORIf 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
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
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
necessaryRecommends consulting with local liaisons,
State Coordinators, NCHE, school counselors, clergy, etc.
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
2013-2014 ONLINE FAFSA
PDF FAFSA includes only 3 UHY-related questions
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
2013-2014 PDF/PAPER FAFSA
Student doesn’t sign the applicationName reported on the FAFSA does not
match name in Social Security Administration records
Report adjusted gross income equal to taxes paid
TOP FAFSA ERRORS FORHOMELESS YOUTH
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
TOOLS
QUESTIONS?
SCHOLARSHIPS,STATE RESOURCES,UNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS
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/
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)
PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS
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 11 th 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
STATE RESOURCES
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
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
RAISE OF HANDS
In your experience, how accessible ishigher education for undocumented students
in your state?1. Very accessible2. Somewhat accessible3. Not accessible at all4. Ummm, what’s an undocumented student?
Undocumented studentNot a U.S. citizen or legal permanent
residentDoes not possess a green card, visa,
or other legal documentationUndocumented students may
face obstacles in three areas:College admissionTuition Financial aid
UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
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
COLLEGE ADMISSION
Some states charge undocumented students out-of-state tuition fees
Some states permit undocumented students to pay in-state tuition under certain circumstancesExample: 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
COLLEGE TUITION
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
FINANCIAL AID FORUNDOCUMENTED
STUDENTS
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…
A GLANCE AT THE STATES
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 studentsA list of scholarships available to all students, regardless
of immigration status
MORE INFORMATION
FINAL QUESTIONS?
RAISE OF HANDS
What is your most valuable “take-home” point from today’s session?
1. Information on fee waivers2. Information on the FAFSA3. Information on private scholarships and state
opportunities4. Information on undocumented students5. All of the above6. Ummm, what? Sorry, I was napping.
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
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
