The AVG provides information to college financial aid administrators and counselors who help students with the process of seeking federal student aid for post-secondary education. Unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) are considered independent students for purposes of applying for federal student aid. This means that UHY do not need to include a parent signature or information… Read more »
Counselor/Social Worker
Higher Education Chart for Foster Youth
Chart overview of Higher Education information/resources for current and former foster youth, adopted youth, and youth in PCA/PMC (Revised July 2017); Texas Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS).
A Homeless Educator’s Sourcebook
A Homeless Educator’s Sourcebook Perspectives on Educating Children and Youth in Highly Mobile and Homeless Situations
Checklist for McKinney-Vento School Selection Considerations: School of Origin or Local Attendance Zone?
Checklist for McKinney-Vento School Choice Considerations: School of Origin or Local Attendance Zone?
Side-by-Side Comparison of the school choice considerations.
Determining Eligibility for Rights and Services Under the McKinney-Vento Act
This NCHE brief: explores in detail the definition of homeless included in Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and provides a step-by-step guide for making determinations of McKinney-Vento eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Identifying Children and Youth in Homeless Situations
This NCHE brief: summarizes the key provisions of Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act related to the identification of children and youth experiencing homelessness; and provides an overview of implementation strategies at the state and local levels.
Supporting the Education of Unaccompanied Students Experiencing Homelessness
Homelessness is a devastating circumstance for any child or youth; but for youth on their own, the stresses of homelessness are multiplied. The myriad of challenges faced by youth experiencing homelessness on their own puts these students at risk of dropping out or school failure. Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, reauthorized in… Read more »
Who Is Homeless?
Subtitle VII-B of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. § 11431 et seq.; hereafter the McKinney-Vento Act), reauthorized in 2015 by Title IX, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), ensures educational rights and protections for children and youth experiencing homelessness. This brief explains the legislation and offers strategies for implementing it… Read more »
Head Start and Early Head Start For Children in Out-of-Home Care
Head Start is a federally funded program for preschool children in economically disadvantaged families. This comprehensive child development program offers an array of educational, health, social, and other services, with a particular focus on early reading and math skills. Head Start also provides health screenings that include physicals, immunizations, dental examinations, vision and hearing screenings, and mental health assessments. Early Head Start provides services to children birth to three years of age and their families, as well as pregnant women.
McKinney-Vento Identification Checklist for School Counselors: FAFSA Round Up Week
How can school counselors help identify McKinney-Vento students?
McKinney-Vento students who are “unaccompanied” (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) are automatically eligible to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as independent students, meaning they do not have to provide a parental income information or signature. However, unaccompanied youth must be verified as such by a school district McKinney-Vento liaison or director of certain shelters or youth programs. It is critical that high school counselors know which students are eligible when they complete the FAFSA and help those students receive proper verification from the liaison.