Navigating college is challenging for any student, but for those experiencing homelessness, the road is far more daunting. In fact, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that around 56,000 students in higher education experience homelessness annually. This reality is even more complicated for unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY), who often lack the family and structural supports that many students rely on. While financial aid administrators play a key role in securing resources, there are ways they can go beyond simply processing aid to provide holistic support for these vulnerable students.
1. Facilitating UHY Determinations
With the FAFSA Simplification changes updated in 2022, financial aid administrators were given the authority to help determine a student’s status as an unaccompanied homeless youth. As outlined in the Department of Education’s Dear Colleague Letter, these determinations can be made in collaboration with certain authorized officials like benefits service liaisons, shelter providers, clergy members, or health and wellness providers, however, financial aid administrators themselves are able to make that determination after speaking with the student if no other official documentation is available.
A critical way financial aid administrators can support UHY students is by creating a streamlined, student-friendly process for making determinations. This might include:
- Providing clear information on how to self-identify as homeless or at risk.
- Being flexible and compassionate in gathering evidence, ensuring students understand that they will not face judgment or bias and that they should be allowed to provide the information they have at hand without having to jump through additional administrative hoops.
- Collaborating with community partners to remove barriers (e.g. shelters, youth programs, college support offices, etc.) to assist students in securing or verifying information proactively, without burdening the student to gather this information for themselves.
2. Expediting Financial Aid Processing
Students facing homelessness often have urgent needs. Delays in receiving aid could lead to missing housing or meal payments, pushing them further into crisis. Financial aid administrators can assist by:
- Prioritizing homeless students’ aid packages, making sure their cases are processed and reviewed expediently and with urgency.
- Providing supplemental assistance whenever possible. FAFSA verification can be an added stressor for homeless students who may lack access to required documents like tax returns. The more help and support these students can receive in retrieving necessary documents, such as helping them with making calls to tax preparers, or guiding the student in-person on ways to retrieve necessary information, the better.
- Leverage the Budget Appeals process to adjust the student’s financial aid eligibility, especially if their financial resources do not adequately reflect their current needs for additional allowable supplies (e.g. a one-time computer purchase, increase gas allowance for students living in their car, etc.).
3. Connecting Students to Campus and Community Resources
While securing financial aid is essential, students experiencing homelessness often need other forms of support. Financial aid administrators can take a proactive role by:
- Building partnerships with on-campus resources such as student affairs, housing offices, mental health and wellness offices, emergency aid options, subsidized on-campus meals, local or institutional food pantries, and eligibility applications. Offering direct referrals to services like emergency housing, mental health counseling, or meal programs can be life-changing for a homeless student who may not even know that these services are being offered to support them so they can be successful through their educational journey.
- Connecting students with off-campus services, including shelters, legal aid organizations, financial literacy and wellness resources (e.g. free tax preparation services) and public federal and state benefits like SNAP or TANF. Financial aid administrators can help collect and provide a repository of these resources, ensuring students get the immediate help they need.
4. Creating Awareness of Emergency Grants
Some schools have emergency grants specifically designated for students facing housing or food insecurity. However, many students may not know about these funds, especially if they feel ashamed of their situation. Financial aid administrators can:
- Actively promote emergency grants and scholarships available to students experiencing homelessness. A discreet process that minimizes stigma can encourage students to apply.
- Encourage the creation of new emergency funds if none exist, collaborating with alumni or local foundations to establish support for students in crisis.
5. Providing Housing Solutions During Breaks
A significant issue faced by students experiencing homelessness is the lack of stable housing during campus breaks. Many college housing offices require students to vacate dorms during these times. Financial aid administrators can work with housing officials to:
- Identify options for students to remain in campus housing during breaks or secure temporary housing solutions through partnerships with local shelters or host families.
- Provide funding or waivers to cover housing during breaks, removing one more obstacle in a student’s path to success.
6. Offering Financial Literacy and Mentorship Programs
Students experiencing homelessness often need guidance in managing limited financial resources. Financial aid administrators can:
- Organize workshops on budgeting, managing debt, and applying for public benefits (e.g., SNAP), and navigating the financial aid process. For students who feel ashamed of using pantry services, encourage them to volunteer at these locations and to take food home at the end of their shift.
- Create peer or faculty mentorship programs to provide guidance and emotional support, connecting students to professionals who can help them navigate college life and future career options.
- Collaborate with Career Services to provide guidance to these students on how to secure work-study options, or other off-campus work opportunities to help the earn some income while working through their studies.
7. Fostering an Inclusive, Supportive Environment
Finally, one of the most important things financial aid administrators can do is cultivate a sense of belonging and support for homeless students. Simple actions like being empathetic, displaying posters about available resources, maintaining confidentiality, and offering words of encouragement can help these students feel seen and supported. Additionally, administrators should advocate for institutional policies that protect homeless students and ensure their voices are heard in policy discussions.
Conclusion
Financial aid administrators have the unique opportunity to make a profound impact on students experiencing homelessness. By going beyond the traditional scope of aid processing, they can provide critical support that addresses both the financial and non-financial challenges faced by these students. From facilitating determinations to connecting students with vital resources and emergency funds, financial aid offices can be a lifeline for homeless students working to build a better future. By implementing these strategies, financial aid administrators can better support students experiencing homelessness and help ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive in college, regardless of their housing situation.