Higher Education Access and Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Resources
California Higher Education Homeless and Foster Liaison Contact Lists
Under California law, as amended by Assembly Bill 801, public institutions of higher education in California must designate a Homeless and Foster Student Liaison to ensure that current and prospective students are informed about student financial aid and other assistance available to homeless youth and current and former foster youth.
California Community College Homeless and Foster Student Liaison Directory
California State University Basic Needs Contacts, Programs, and Services Directory
University of California Basic Needs Program Directory
College SNAP Project: SNAP for College Students in California
This webpage provides information to help higher education students in California understand if they are eligible to receive CalFresh (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP] or "food stamps") benefits and what steps to take to access these benefits.
This John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) webpage includes information about the California Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/California Dream Act Application (CADAA) Challenge for Students Experiencing Homelessness. This challenge, led by JBAY in partnership with SchoolHouse Connection, the California Department of Education (CDE), and the California Student Aid Commission, is a statewide campaign to increase the number of students experiencing homelessness who are accessing financial aid. Resources include recommended policies and procedures, instructions for verifying FAFSA/CADAA completion, and related video tutorials.
This John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) webpage includes resources for both students and professionals to take the mystery out of applying for and maintaining financial aid for higher education. Resources include a comprehensive Financial Aid Guide, step-by-step visual guide to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)/California Dream Act Application (CADAA), and an “After the FAFSA/CADAA” checklist.
This National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) webpage provides informational and practical resources on supporting higher education access and success for students experiencing homelessness.
National Center for Homeless Education: Scholarships for Higher Education webpage
This NCHE webpage provides informational and practical resources on accessing higher education scholarship funds for students experiencing homelessness, including those with an undocumented immigration status.
SchoolHouse Connection: Higher Education webpage
This SchoolHouse Connection webpage provides informational and practical resources on supporting higher education access and success for students experiencing homelessness..
The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice is redefining what it means to be a student-ready college, with a national movement centering on students’ basic needs, including reliable and consistent access to affordable food, housing, transportation, technology, familial care, and health care. Without those needs met, far too many students leave college in debt and without degrees. The Center’s research and publications provide the evidence and practical insights needed to support higher education learners experiencing housing and food insecurity.
Sample Materials
Education Goals and Supports: A Guided Discussion Tool
This NCHE tool may be used by educators and service providers working with youth experiencing homelessness to guide youth clients through a discussion of their interests and skills. The tool uses motivational interviewing questions to help determine the client’s interest in pursuing education, provides online resources to help the client explore education and career pathways and determine possible pathway options in areas of interest, includes information on how to pay for higher education, and recommends next steps towards the client’s goals.
Download the Allegheny County Guided Discussion Tool Addendum
This addendum provides more details on Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA area) education and career supports that complement NCHE’s Guided Discussion Tool. The addendum may be customized and adapted by other communities for their own use.
Sample Form Letter to Determine the Independent Student Status of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
This SchoolHouse Connection form may be edited as appropriate by a school district, institution of higher education, shelter, transitional living program, or street outreach program to document independent student status on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid for unaccompanied homeless youth.