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:
- A local educational agency("LEA") homeless liaison, designated pursuant to 722(g)(1)J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- To find local liaisons: contact the Office of State Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. Most State Coordinators maintain updated lists of all liaisons, usually on the State Department of Education web site.
- Contact information for State Coordinators is on the NCHE web site
- Louisiana Department of Education: Homeless Education
- Texas Homeless Education Office
- The director or a designee of the director of a program funded by the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
- The director of a program funded under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- A financial aid administrator - READ THE IMPLEMENTATION POLICY FOR LOYOLA UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS
Additional Help
Financial Aid
- The LeTendre Education Fund Scholarship Program provides scholarship assistance to students who are homeless or have experienced homelessness.
Local Resources
Related Resources
- Unexpected Faces - Unexpected Places: Our Homeless Neighbors
- National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
- National Center on Homeless Education
- National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty
- National Network for Youth
- Out of the Shadows: A Campaign to End Youth Homelessness
- National Runaway Switchboard
- Homelessness in New Orleans
- Additional Non-Profit Agencies (General)
Resources for Students:
Updated January 19, 2013