Homeless or Risk of Being Homeless
When you filed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you reported that you are homeless or at risk of being homeless. Before we can determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must provide proof of this status.
The Department of Education defines a “youth” as a student who is 21 years of age or younger; therefore, this process would not apply to dependent students ages 22-23 (individuals who are 24 years of age are considered independent by virtue of their age). Individuals who are ages 22-23 may be eligible to submit a Dependency Override Request.
“Homeless” means lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing. You may be homeless if you are living in shelters, parks, motels, hotels, public spaces, camping grounds, cars, abandoned buildings, or temporarily living with other people because you have nowhere else to go. Also, if you are living in any of these situations and fleeing an abusive parent, you may be considered homeless even if your parent would otherwise provide a place to live.
“Unaccompanied” means you are not living in the physical custody of your parent or guardian.
Before we can determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must establish your Homeless/Risk of Homelessness status by providing written documentation that verifies one of the conditions indicated below:
- Any time on or after July 1, 2023, your high school or school district homeless liaison determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, OR
- Any time on or after July 1, 2023, the director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving those experiencing homelessness determined you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless, OR
- Any time on or after July 1, 2023, the director or designee of a project supported by a federal TRIO or GEAR UP program grant determined that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, OR
- Any time on or after July 1, 2023, if you answered “Yes” but did not receive a determination from the persons listed, select “None of these apply” and contact the financial aid administrator at your college. This person can determine if you are “homeless” and, therefore, not required to provide parent information.
No federal or need-based aid can be awarded or disbursed until documentation is received confirming your homeless or risk of being homeless status.
