Homeless Youth and "Unaccompanied" Youth at Risk for Homelessness

LUCAP volunteers make lunches and bring them to the Ozanam Inn, a homeless men's day center and shelter in downtown New Orleans. Volunteers make conversation with the clients of Ozanam Inn and reinforce the idea that all people have dignity.

In This Section:

New Policy | Criteria and Verification | Additional Help | Related Resources |

Policy

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 (CCRAA) expanded the definition of an "independent student" to include unaccompanied homeless youth. Specifically, the CCRAA states that youth who are 1) unaccompanied and homeless, or 2) unaccompanied, self-supporting and at-risk of homelessness at any time during the school year in which they sign the FAFSA, are considered independent. REFERENCE: The 2011-12 Application and Verification Guide, pages 26-28.

For the 2012-2013 academic year, the definition of an "independent student" will be expanded to include any applicant who has been verified on or after July 1, 2011  as either:

  • An unaccompanied youth who is a homeless child or youth, as such terms are defined in section 725 of the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act
  • An unaccompanied youth who is at risk of homelessness AND is also self-supporting.

As this is a relatively new program, we are working through all operational issues involved with implementation. Students or high school guidance counselors with questions should submit them directly to Cathy Simoneaux, Director, Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. At this time, we understand that the student's status at the time he/ she completes the Free Application for Federal Student Aid ("FAFSA")determines their eligibility under these new guidelines.

Criteria and Verification

Criteria

Definition of Homelessness: Children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence which includes

  • living in shelters, motels, or cars OR
  • temporarily living with other people because the applicant had no where else to go. Student who choose to leave their parents' home will need to demonstrate that they were at risk for harm if they continued to live with their parents.

Definition of "at risk of being homeless" : This is 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.

Definition of Unaccompanied Youth: A youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian who also meets the definition of homeless. "Youth" means that the applicant (student) is 21 years of age or younger OR that the applicant is still enrolled in high school as of the day he/she completes the FAFSA. Applicants between the ages of 21-24 who otherwise meet all other criteria, should contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for more information.

Definition of "self-supporting: This is when a student pays for his or her own living expenses, including fixed, regular and adequate housing

Definition of "Verified During the school year in which the application is submitted": At this time, we understand that this provision refers to the student's status on or after July 1,  2011 (for the 2012-2013 academic year).

Verification

Loyola University New Orleans will require all applicants to provide copies of the official determination of their status under the McKinney-Vento Act. Students who apply for assistance as an unaccompanied youth who is a homeless child or youth, as such terms are defined in section 725 of the McKinney- Vento Homeless Assistance Act should be able to provide documentation of their status from:

Additional Help

Financial Aid
 Local Resources

Related Resources

 

The LeTendre Education Fund Scholarship Program provides scholarship assistance to students who are homeless or have experienced homelessness.  

 

Resources for Students:

Updated January 19, 2013