1. Paving the Way to College for Students Experiencing Homelessness
National Center for Homeless Education

2. About NCHE
NCHE operates the U.S. Department of Education’s technical assistance center for the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Program
Website:
Helpline: or
Products:
Webinars:
Listserv:

3. Session Outline Dealing with application expenses
Advanced Placement exam fees
College entrance exam fees (SAT and ACT)
College application fees
Seeking financial aid and scholarships
The FAFSA for “accompanied” and unaccompanied homeless students
Private scholarships
State-specific opportunities
Options for undocumented homeless students

4. The Value of a College Degree

5. College Admissions Process
Advanced Placement (AP) tests
College entrance exam(s) (SAT and/or ACT)
College applications
FAFSA
Private scholarship applications
More information:
“Applying 101”:
“Financial Aid 101”:

6. Fee Waivers

7. SAT subject test $26/basic fee + $20 and up/exam ea
AP test $93 ea +
General SAT test $45+ per
ACT $ per
SAT subject test $26/basic fee + $20 and up/exam ea
College application* $41 average ea =
Total range
$250-$1000
*The College Board recommends that students apply to between 5 and 8 colleges.

8. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
Most four-year U.S. colleges give students credit, advanced placement, or both on the basis of AP Exam scores; however each institution may set its own policy as to which tests it will accept for credit, how much credit it will give, and what score is required for credit.
AP exam fee waivers are available for eligible students with no limit on the number of waivers per student

9. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
AP exam fee waiver eligibility criteria include eligibility for free or reduced price lunch, providing categorical eligibility for homeless students
Waivers are administered at the school; speak with your school’s AP Coordinator
Additional information is available at
Note: Changes to AP waivers due to ESSA block granting; details at governments/new-education-policies/essa-federal-funding-ap?excmpid=VT

10. College Entrance Exam: The ACT
To qualify for an ACT fee waiver, the student must:
Be enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade
Meet one or more of the following indicators of economic need:
Student is receiving free/reduced lunch
Student is enrolled in TRIO, GEAR UP, or a similar program
Student lives in a foster home, is a ward of the state, or is experiencing homelessness
Family lives in subsidized housing or receives public assistance
Family income is below the USDA reduced-price lunch level

11. College Entrance Exam: The ACT
Students 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
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

12. College Entrance Exam: The SAT
To qualify for an SAT fee waiver, the student must:
Be enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade (SAT) or in grades (SAT Subject Tests)
Meet one or more indicator(s) of economic need (same as for the ACT fee waiver)
The waiver must be obtained from the student’s high school counselor or an authorized agency

13. College Entrance Exam: The SAT
The student can receive up to four waiver cards: Two waivers for the SAT and two waivers for SAT Subject Tests (student may take up to three Subject Tests per test date)
The waiver covers basic test fees and sending test score(s) to up to eight colleges (four standard; additional four with waiver); does not cover change fees, but covers late registration fees
Waivers also available for 11th graders taking the PSAT text
Additional information is available at

14. College Application Fees
College Board program
Students 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 SAT® Fee-Waiver Directory of Colleges at
Additional information is available at

15. College Application Fees
National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) form
To 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 waivers
Can be based on income and/or the counselor’s knowledge of the family’s circumstances
Additional information is available at .aspx

16. 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
Colleges that use The Common Application ( accept the SAT college application fee waiver
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

17. The FAFSA

18. FAFSA Basics FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The official FAFSA web address is
Students applying for federal aid must complete a FAFSA for each school year for which they are seeking federal aid

19. FAFSA Basics
A new FAFSA is released in October of each year for the coming year
Example: FAFSA
Released on October 1, 2017
Valid for students attending school for Fall 2018 and Spring 2019
Treatment of the Summer term depends on the school

20. FAFSA Basics

21. Key FAFSA Dates

22. Calculation of Federal Aid
EFC = Expected Family Contribution
Based on the information submitted on the FAFSA, ED calculates the EFC
Dependent Student
Must report parent information on FAFSA
EFC is based on parents’ and student’s income and assets
Independent Student
Does NOT report parent information on FAFSA
EFC is based on student’s income and assets

23. Who is an Independent Student?

24. Who is an Independent Student?

25. “Accompanied Homeless Youth”
Students experiencing homelessness with their family fill out the FAFSA as dependent students
Accompanied: In the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Homeless: Living arrangement meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless
The EFC is based on family income and assets
Homeless students from low-income families likely will qualify for the maximum amount of federal aid
Additional information is available at Guide1617Attach.pdf

26. Unaccompanied, Homeless, At-Risk
Unaccompanied homeless youth and unaccompanied youth at risk of homelessness fill out the FAFSA as independent students
Unaccompanied: Not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian
Homeless: Living arrangement meets the M-V definition of homeless
At 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.

27. Age Criteria
*New for the FAFSA*: The definition of youth (previously defined as 21 or younger) was removed from the FAFSA
Unaccompanied homeless students ages 23 or younger or still enrolled in high school on the date he/she signs the FAFSA qualify as independent students
Students ages 24 or older automatically qualify for independent student status

28. Determiners of Independent Status
Local homeless education liaison For students graduating from high school who were identified as an UHY while in high school; subsequent year determinations for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors
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

29. Subsequent Year Determinations
Per Guidance from ED, local liaisons have the option to make subsequent year determinations for UHY if they have access to the information necessary to make such a determination
See question Q-2 at nce pdf for more information

30. FAFSA Data
Determinations of independent student status for unaccompanied homeless youth on the FAFSA Local liaison: 22,435 RHYA shelter: 3,506 HUD shelter: 3,822 FAA: 2,185 TOTAL: 31,948 Visit for more information.

31. According to the AVG
Each year, ED’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) releases an updated Application and Verification Guide (AVG) for FAAs
The AVG is available at
The AVG has not been released as of yet
If 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
Verification of “yes” answers to the unaccompanied homeless youth questions on the FAFSA is not required unless there is conflicting information

32. According to the AVG
A FAA may determine a student’s status with a documented interview
The AVG 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 necessary
The AVG recommends consulting with local liaisons, State Coordinators, NCHE, school counselors, clergy, etc.

33. Online FAFSA
The online FAFSA includes four questions regarding unaccompanied homeless youth, including for youth who have no status determination as of yet
Encourage UHY to complete the FAFSA online

34. FAFSA Timeline
Encourage all students to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible!
State and institutional deadlines vary; learn more at

35. Tools
For local liaisons and shelters SchoolHouse Connection Template (Independent Student Status of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Determination for the FAFSA) available at content/uploads/2017/10/SHC__FAFSA_Determination_2018_FINAL.doc
For financial aid administrators NCHE FAA Tool (Making Student Status Determinations for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Eligibility Tool for Financial Aid Administrators) available at

36. Scholarships, State Resources, and Undocumented Students

37. Private Scholarships
Encourage students to check with their high school counselor for a list of available private scholarships
Give Us Your Poor/Horatio Alger Scholarship:

38. Private Scholarships Free and reputable scholarship search engines:
Fastweb!:
College Board:
U.S. Department of Education: scholarships/finding-scholarships (includes scholarship search tips and guidelines)

39. State Resources
Check your state for supports 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 11th and 12th grade)
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 ) _String=&URL= /1009/Sections/ html

40. Other Considerations
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 reliable and informed transition plan
Consider housing options if looking into a school without dormitories

41. Undocumented Students
Not a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
Does not possess a green card, visa, or other legal documentation
Undocumented students may face obstacles in three areas:
College admission
Tuition
Financial aid

42. College Admission
Access to higher education for undocumented students is state-specific and institution-specific
There is no federal law prohibiting the admission of undocumented students into U.S. colleges and universities
Some states and private institutions permit the admission of undocumented students

43. College Tuition
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
Some states permit undocumented students to pay in-state tuition under certain circumstances
Example: 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

44. Financial Aid
Undocumented students are not eligible for federal student 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
Some private scholarships require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal residents

45. More Information Visit http://nche.ed.gov/ibt/higher_ed.php
Information on Access to Higher Education for Undocumented Students (College Board)
Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Students (U.S. Department of Education)
Visit t/eduaccesstoolkit2/