College Benefits for Homeless Students

Q: I know that homeless students can qualify for independent status on the FAFSA as well as priority registration. If a student qualifies as independent for the purposes of the FAFSA, based on their status as a homeless student, do they automatically qualify for priority registration as well? Is the reverse true?

A: As of January 1, 2020, AB 806 will expand the definition of homelessness used for priority registration to include students who become homeless after entering college as well as those who were homeless prior to college application. As such, most students who qualify as independent on the FAFSA based on homeless status will meet the eligibility criteria for priority registration. The one exception to this is that if a student qualifies on the FAFSA based on being “self-supporting and at-risk of becoming homeless” they may not qualify for priority registration.

Other than the “at-risk” qualification, both benefits rely on the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness, namely that the student “lacks fixed, regular and adequate housing.” Key differences between the two benefits are as follows:

• For FAFSA a student must be unaccompanied, whereas this is not the case for priority registration.
• For FAFSA a student must have been homeless on or after July 1 of the year in which they are applying but for priority registration, a youth can have been homeless at any time during the 24 months prior to the college receiving their application or be currently homeless.
• For FAFSA a student must reverify their status every year whereas for priority registration once a student is verified as homeless, they retain that status for a period of 6 years or until they reach age 25, whichever comes first.

Want to learn more about how to complete the FAFSA for a homeless student? Check out our recent webinar recording HERE.

Independent Student Status on the FAFSA – Foster or Homeless Youth?

Q: I’m trying to help a 22-year-old young woman complete the FAFSA before the priority deadline of March 2. This young woman did spend time in foster care but is also currently homeless. In the dependency section, for the purposes of establishing independent student status, should she indicate her foster care history or her current homelessness status? I see you cannot indicate both. 

A: If the young woman was in foster care at any time since turning 13, she should check this box and be granted independent student status by way of her foster care history, instead of her homelessness status.

Homelessness determinations only last that upcoming school year, then require annual verification that the student was “an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or is self-supporting and at risk of being homeless” any time on or after July 1 of the year prior to the award year. However, youth who were in foster care or were dependents or wards of the court any time since turning 13 are considered independent students in subsequent years by way of their foster care history without having to re-verify.

The homeless youth determination process is also more cumbersome than the foster care verification process, which is now automated.

For help with assisting foster youth with completing the FAFSA, refer to JBAY’s Financial Aid Guide for California Foster Youth, which includes a Visual Guide.

For help with assisting homeless youth with completing the FAFSA, refer to JBAY’s Visual Guide to Assist Homeless Youth with Completing the FAFSA.

Citation: 2018-19 Federal Student Aid Handbook, Application and Verification Guide (https://ifap.ed.gov/fsahandbook/attachments/1819FSAHbkAVG.pdf)

 

Educational Opportunity Program deadlines at Cal State Universities

Q: I am planning to submit an application to a Cal State University this month. I want to apply for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and I heard that I need to do that with my application, but I just realized that I need to provide two letters of recommendation to apply for EOP. Is there any way that I can submit the letters after the November 30 application deadline?

A: While you must indicate on your admissions application if you would like to be considered for the Educational Opportunity Program, the deadline for submitting the required materials, including autobiographical essays and letters of recommendation falls after November 30. The deadlines vary by school, and range between December 7 and January 31, depending on the institution. To see the deadline for each institution, follow this LINK.

The CSU’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) provides admission, academic and financial support services to historically underserved students throughout California including low-income, first generation and foster youth students. Some foster youth support programs require enrollment in EOP in order to participate. In addition to indicating on the admissions application that they would like to apply for EOP, students must apply for financial aid and must complete autobiographical essay questions and provide two letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment about the student’s potential to succeed in college such as a counselor, teacher, community member, or employer.

Make sure that you apply for the program with your CSU application as students will not be admitted to the program after they enroll in school.

Work Requirements for THP-Plus

Q:  I’m working with a homeless former foster youth who attempted to access housing through our local THP-Plus program, but he was told by a social worker that he did not meet the work requirements to enter the program. Is this part of the THP-Plus eligibility requirements? 

A: No, work requirements are not part of THP-Plus eligibility. Youth eligible for the THP-Plus program:

• are at least 18 years of age and not more than 24 years of age*
• have exited from the foster care system on or after his or her 18^th birthday
• have not previously received services through THP-Plus for more than a total of 24 months, whether or not consecutive*
• *a county may, at its option, extend THP-Plus to a former foster youth not more than 25 years of age, and for a total of 36 months if they are completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential, or enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary education.

As a condition of participation in THP-Plus, the youth shall enter into a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) that shall be mutually agreed upon, and annually reviewed by the youth and county welfare or probation department or independent living program coordinator.

While many youth may have employment or education listed as a goal in their TILP, there is no blanket work or school requirement as a condition of THP-Plus eligibility, and there is a high likelihood that youth entering the program are not yet meeting the goals in their TILP, but are working toward them.

Citation: Welfare & Institutions Code 11403.2(a)(2)

Foster Youth Reproductive and Sexual Health Rights-Storing Birth Control Pills

Q: I am with an Foster Family Agency. What guidance should I give Resource Families about a foster youth’s right to obtain and use contraception, specifically any requirements about storing birth control pills.

A: First, you should inform Resource Families that youth and young adults in foster care have the right to consent to or decline medical care (without need for consent from a parent, caregiver, guardian, social worker, probation officer, court, or authorized representative) for:

1. The prevention or treatment of pregnancy, including contraception, at any age (except sterilization).
2. An abortion, at any age.
3. Diagnosis and treatment of sexual assault, at any age.
4. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs, at age 12 or older.

This is one of ten reproductive and sexual health rights of foster youth outlined in All County Letter 16-81  CDSS provides the following guidance about storing prescriptive contraception medicine, such as birth control pills:

“Resource families are not required to centrally store prescription medications. For youth under the age of 18, the resource family shall use the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS) to determine whether it is appropriate for the youth to have access to medications for self-administration (FFA ILS, § 88487.3(c)(2); RFA Written Directives (WD), § 11-03(c)(2)). For youth who are 18 or older, the resource family shall permit the youth to access medications necessary for self-administration (FFA ILS, § 88487.3(d)(2); RFA WD, § 11-03(d)(2)).”

Source: All County Letter 16-81, CCL’s: “Healthy Sexual Development Resource Guide for Children’s Residential Facilities and Resource Families”

Medi-Cal for Former Foster Youth in the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program

Q: I understand that foster youth who are part of the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) program are eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal. What about once they exit their URM placement as non-minors? Are they eligible for Medi-Cal up to age 26 in the same way that former foster youth are in our county child welfare systems?

A: Yes, youth who meet Former Foster Youth (FFY) Program eligibility requirements are eligible to continue receiving full-scope Medi-Cal under the FFY Program. California’s FFY Program eligibility requirements are as follows:

• In foster care in any state on 18^th birthday
• Currently reside in California
• Younger than 26

According to recently issued guidance from the California Department of Social Services, “When the County Welfare Department learns that a FFY eligible Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) youth has exited their URM placement (at age 18 or older), the County Welfare Department shall seamlessly transition the youth into the Medi-Cal program for FFY and assign the 4M aid code even if the youth’s whereabouts are unknown.”

Citation: California Department of Social Services. All County Welfare Directors Letter 18-14. All County Information Notice I-38-18 (July 3, 2018). http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/ACIN/2018/I-38_18.pdf

For previous guidance issued by the state to counties regarding FFY eligibility for Medi-Cal, visit Children Now’s webpage: http://coveredtil26.childrennow.org/resources

Mobile-friendly FAFSA

Q: Is it possible for me to fill out the FAFSA on my smartphone or do I need to have access to a computer?

A: Yes, it is now possible for you to fill out the FAFSA easily on your phone. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) launched a mobile-friendly version of the FAFSA last month at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The DOE plans to roll out a beta version of a student aid mobile app soon that would let financial aid recipients complete the FAFSA application as well as make loan payments and complete other financial aid tasks. A complete version of the mobile app is set to launch October 1, 2018 in time for the beginning of the 2019-20 federal student aid cycle. According to the DOE, the October release will include even more functions for the mobile app — it will be linked to the IRS data retrieval tool, it will allow for comparisons of aid packages for different schools and applicants will be able to transfer information to state aid applications.

Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Non-RFA Approved Homes

Q: I am a grandmother who is caring for her two grandchildren. My Resource Family Approval (RFA) has not been approved yet. Can I still participate in the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program?

A: Yes, this was addressed in a recent Frequently Asked Questions document disseminated by the California Department of Social Services, stated below:

“Can Bridge funding be used on non-approved Resource Family Approval (RFA) homes?

Yes, families that have a child placed with them in an emergency or for a compelling reason, are eligible to receive a time-limited monthly payment or voucher for child care and a child care navigator subject to county eligibility requirements. See ACL 17-109.”

Citation: California Department of Social Services. All County Letter No. I8-80, Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children, Question 13 (June 14, 2018). http://www.cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/ACL/2018/18-80.pdf

Resources for Students with Disabilities

Q: I am helping a student with learning disabilities who will be attending community college in the fall. Are there any resources available for her as a student with a disability?

A: Yes, every community college campus has a Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) office. She will need to provide evidence that she has a disability in order to qualify for their services. The DSPS program provides support services, specialized instruction, and educational accommodations to students with disabilities so that they can participate as fully and benefit as equitably from the college experience as their non-disabled peers. Examples of services available through DSPS that are over and above those regularly offered by the college would be test-taking facilitation, assessment for learning disabilities, specialized counseling, interpreter services for hearing-impaired or deaf students, mobility assistance, note taker services, reader services, transcription services, specialized tutoring, access to adaptive equipment, job development/placement, registration assistance, special parking and specialized instruction.

You can find a list of DSPS for each campus here.

Homeless Emergency Aid Program

Q: I have heard that the recently passed state budget included $500 million in funding for homelessness and that $25 million is set aside for homeless youth. How can I find out how much is available to my community and how to apply for it?

A: Yes, on June 27, 2018, Governor Brown signed SB 850 which established the Homeless Emergency Aid Program. The program is administered by the Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC) within the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. According to the HCFC website, a NOFA will be issued in late summer providing local jurisdictions with information about how to access the funding. To make sure that you stay informed about the issuance of the NOFA, sign up for their informational notices HERE.

SB 850 requires no less than five percent of the funding is required to be used to “establish or expand services meeting the needs of homeless youth or youth at risk of homelessness.” The total amount of funding available is $500 million, which means an estimated $25 million will be dedicated to homeless youth.  John Burton Advocates for Youth will be providing information about the five-percent requirement as it becomes available. Until then, we recommend you take the following steps:

• Step 1: Make contact with your local Continuum of Care: You may already know about this group and be involved in their work. If not, the first step is identifying what entity coordinates your Continuum of Care. Most Continuums of Care meet on a monthly basis. Find out when yours meets, go to the next meeting, and raise the topic of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program and the 5% homeless youth requirement. Find the contact here.
• Step 2: Find out how many youth were homeless in your 2017 Point in Time Count, the growth over time, and how many were unsheltered. This will be important information to make the case that funding is needed. Find that figure here.
• Step 3: Consider partnering with organizations that are active in your Continuum of Care, if you are not currently a grantee. For example, there may be a housing provider that receives HUD funding to operate a Rapid Rehousing model for adults. Consider applying for funding from the Homeless Emergency Aid Program to subcontract with them to provide Rapid Rehousing services to for homeless youth.
• Step 4: Find out how much money your administrative entity has for homeless youth. Again, the requirement is that the administrative entity use no less than 5% on homeless youth. Advocate for more if possible. Encourage your administrative entity to make a large request, which will increase the amount of the homeless youth set-aside. The exact amount of funding will be based on how many administrative entities apply, but you can find an estimate here.
• Step 5: Watch for the NOFA to be issued by HCFC by the end of the summer. SB 850 requires applications to be submitted by December 31, 2018, but there is nothing preventing them from being required earlier. You can make sure not to miss the NOFA release by signing up for the HCFC listserv.
• Step 6: Check to see how much was issued and whether your jurisdiction can apply again. If allowable, be ready to submit another application.
• Step 7: Stay on top of this process and establish accountability mechanisms to ensure that 5% of the Homeless Emergency Aid Program is going to homeless youth. The law requires it, but the accountability mechanism in SB 850 is not strong. To ensure these funds serve homeless youth will require local advocates playing an active role.

For more information about the  Homeless Emergency Aid Program, follow this LINK.