Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve the financial aid process for homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act 2. Definitions (a) Independent student Section 480(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087vv(d) (1) in paragraph (1)(H)— (A) in the matter preceding clause (i)— (i) by striking during the school year in which the application is submitted (ii) by inserting age 23 or younger unaccompanied youth (iii) by striking terms are term is (B) in clause (i), by inserting , or a designee of the liaison Act (C) in clause (ii), by striking a program funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving homeless youth, (D) in clause (iii), by striking program funded under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (relating to emergency shelter grants) Federal TRIO program or a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate program under chapter 1 or 2 of subpart 2 of part A, (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Simplifying the determination process for unaccompanied youth (A) Verification A financial aid administrator shall accept a homelessness determination made by any individual authorized to make such determinations under clause (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (1)(H) in the absence of conflicting information. A documented phone call with, or a written statement from, one of the authorized individuals is sufficient verification when needed. For purposes of this paragraph, a financial aid administrator's disagreement with the determination made by an authorized individual shall not be considered conflicting information. (B) Determination of independence A financial aid administrator shall make a determination of independence under paragraph (1)(H) if a student does not have, and cannot get, documentation from any of the other designated authorities described in such paragraph. This determination is based on the definitions outlined in paragraph (1)(H) and is distinct from a determination of independence under paragraph (1)(I). The determination may be based on a documented interview with the student if there is no written documentation available. A financial aid administrator shall limit such determination to whether the student meets the definitions in paragraph (1)(H) and shall not inquire about the reasons for the student's homelessness. (C) Timing; use of earlier determination (i) Timing A determination under paragraph (1)(H) for a student— (I) shall be made as quickly as practicable; (II) may be made as early as the year before the award year for which the student initially submits an application; and (III) shall be made no later than during the award year for which the student initially submits an application. (ii) Use of earlier determination Any student who is determined to be independent under paragraph (1)(H) for a preceding award year at an institution shall be presumed to be independent for a subsequent award year at the same institution unless— (I) the student informs the institution that circumstances have changed; or (II) the institution has specific conflicting information about the student’s independence, and has informed the student of this information and the opportunity to challenge such information through a documented interview or an impartial review by the Student Loan Ombudsman pursuant to section 141(f)(3)(C). . (b) Foster care children and youth Section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1003 (25) Foster care children and youth The term foster care children and youth (A) means children and youth whose care and placement are the responsibility of the State or Tribal agency that administers a State or Tribal plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 et seq. 42 U.S.C. 672 (B) includes individuals who were age 13 or older when their care and placement were the responsibility of a State or Tribal agency that administered a State or Tribal plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 et seq. . 3. Student loan ombudsman Section 141(f)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1018(f)(3) (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (C) receive, review, and resolve expeditiously complaints regarding a student’s independence under subparagraph (B) or (H) of section 480(d)(1), in consultation with knowledgeable parties, including child welfare agencies, local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) 42 U.S.C. 11432 . 4. Program participation agreements Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a) (1) in paragraph (19)— (A) by striking The institution will not The institution— (A) will not ; (B) inserting housing facilities, libraries, (C) by striking institution. institution; and (D) by adding at the end the following: (B) will provide a means for students to access institutionally owned or operated housing if a student is temporarily unable to meet financial obligations related to housing, including deposits, due to delayed disbursement of vouchers for education and training made available under section 677 of part E of title IV of the Social Security Act or delays attributable to the institution. ; (2) by adding at the end the following: (30) The institution certifies that the institution— (A) has designated an appropriate staff person, who may also be a coordinator for other programs, as a single point of contact to assist homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (B) posts public notice about student financial assistance and other assistance available to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including their eligibility as independent students under subparagraphs (B) and (H) of sections 480(d)(1); (C) gives priority for any institutionally owned or operated housing facilities, including student housing facilities that remain open for occupation during school breaks or on a year-round basis, to— (i) homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (ii) youths who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting; and (iii) foster care children and youth; (D) has developed a plan for how homeless children and youths, youths who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting, and foster care children and youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms, through means that may include access to institutionally owned or operated housing during breaks and a list of housing resources in the community that provide short-term housing; and (E) has included, in its application for admission, questions (to be answered voluntarily) regarding the applicant’s status as a homeless child or youth or foster care child or youth, that— (i) can be answered by the applicant voluntarily for the limited purpose of being provided information about financial aid or any other available assistance; and (ii) explain the key terms in the question in a manner children and youth can understand in order to self-identify and declare eligibility as a homeless child or youth or foster care child or youth. . 5. Federal TRIO programs Section 402A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 (1) in subsection (c)(6), by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: The Secretary shall require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this chapter to identify and conduct outreach to foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (2) in subsection (f)(2), by striking college students, and college students, foster care children and youth, homeless children and youth, and 6. Talent search Section 402B(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–12(d) (1) in paragraph (3), by striking and (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (6) require that such entity submit, as part of the application for the project, a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth as part of the project; and (7) require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section 402H(e) at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 7. Upward bound Section 402C(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–13(e) (1) in paragraph (4), by striking and (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (6) require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (7) require that such entity submit, as part of the application, a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth regarding the project; and (8) require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section 402H(e) at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 8. Student support services Section 402D(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–14(e) (1) in paragraph (5), by striking and (2) in paragraph (6)(B), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (7) require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (8) require that such entity submit, in the application for the project, a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths, and foster care children and youth, who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution; and (9) require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section 402H(e) at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 9. Educational opportunity centers Section 402F(c) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–16(c) (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (5) require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (6) require that such entity submit, as part of the application, a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth regarding the project; and (7) require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section 402H(e) at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 10. Reports and evaluations Section 402H of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–18 (e) Report regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth Each entity carrying out a project under section 402B, 402C, 402D, or 402F shall, at the conclusion of the project, prepare and submit a report to the Secretary that includes— (1) data on the number of homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (2) a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used in the project and that were effective in meeting the needs of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 11. Gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs Section 404C(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–23(a)(2) (1) in subparagraph (I), by striking and (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (K) describe how the eligible entity will facilitate the participation of foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a (i) how the eligible entity will identify foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths, in collaboration with child welfare agencies, homeless shelters, and local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths designated under section 722(g)(1)(J)(ii) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) (ii) how the eligible entity will collect and submit to the Secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served; and (iii) the policies and practices the eligible entity will adopt to remove barriers to the participation of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including policies to facilitate continued participation despite changes in residence resulting from homelessness or foster care placement and policies consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq. . 12. Grant for Federal work-study programs Section 443(b)(6) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 2753(b)(6) , and prioritize employment for students who are currently or formerly homeless children and youths (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434a thereof 13. Excludable income Section 480(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087vv(e) (5) payments made and services provided under part E of title IV of the Social Security Act, including the value of vouchers for education and training made available under section 477 of such Act, and any payments made directly to the youth as part of an extended foster care program pursuant to such part E; and . 14. Consolidating questions regarding homeless status in FAFSA Section 483(a)(4) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1090(a)(4) (C) Single question regarding homeless status The Secretary shall ensure that, on each form developed under this section for which the information is applicable, there is a single, easily understood screening question to identify an applicant for aid who is— (i) an unaccompanied homeless child or youth (as such term is defined in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act); or (ii) an unaccompanied youth who is self-supporting and at risk of homelessness. . 15. In-State tuition rates for homeless children or youths and foster care children and youth Section 135 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1015d (1) in the section heading, by inserting re children and youth children (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking (a) Requirement (a) Requirement (1) Armed forces In the case ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Homeless children or youths and foster care children or youth In the case of a homeless child or youth or a foster care child or youth, such State shall not charge such individual tuition for attendance at a public institution of higher education in the State at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for residents of the State. ; and (3) by striking subsections (c) and (d) and inserting the following: (c) Effective date (1) Armed forces With respect to an individual described in subsection (a)(1), this section shall take effect at each public institution of higher education in a State that receives assistance under this Act for the first period of enrollment at such institution that begins after July 1, 2009. (2) Homeless children or youths and foster care children or youth With respect to an individual described in subsection (a)(2), this section shall take effect at each public institution of higher education in a State that receives assistance under this Act for the first period of enrollment at such institution that begins during the first full award year following the date of enactment of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Armed forces The terms armed forces active duty for a period of more than 30 days (2) Homeless children and youths The term homeless children and youths 42 U.S.C. 11434a .

Summary: Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to include local educational agency homeless liaisons, their designees, and the directors of other programs serving homeless youth among those who may identify individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness as unaccompanied youth and thereby independent for financial aid purposes. Frees financial aid administrators from being required to verify those determinations absent conflicting information. Requires the presumption, on the basis of those determinations and absent conflicting information, that students are independent in the years following their initial application for aid. Defines &quot;foster care children and youth&quot; for purposes of the HEA. Requires the Student Loan Ombudsman to receive, review, and resolve expeditiously, in consultation with knowledgeable parties, complaints regarding a student's independence as an orphan, foster child, ward of the court, or unaccompanied youth. Requires postsecondary schools participating in programs under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA to: designate a staff person as a single point of contact to assist homeless and foster care youth in accessing and completing postsecondary education; post public notice about the assistance available to those youth, including their eligibility as independent students; have a plan for how those youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms; and include questions in their admissions application regarding the applicant's status as a homeless or foster care youth. Requires grant recipients under the Federal TRIO programs to identify, recruit, and provide outreach and program services to homeless and foster care youth. (TRIO programs are designed to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in progressing through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.) Requires the TRIO Talent Search, Upward Bound, Student Support Services, and Educational Opportunity Centers programs to review and revise their policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless and foster care youth, including by allowing those youth to participate in the programs immediately even if they are unaccompanied by a parent or guardian or are unable to produce the records normally required for enrollment. Requires grant recipients under the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate programs (GEAR UP) to identify homeless and foster care youth and facilitate their participation in the programs. (GEAR UP programs are designed to facilitate the transition of low-income high school students into postsecondary education, including through the provision of scholarships.) Prohibits a state from charging homeless and foster care youth tuition for attending a public institution of higher education in the state at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for state residents. Requires institutions of higher education receiving grants for work-study programs to prioritize employment for students who are currently or formerly homeless or foster care youth. Excludes from a student's income, for purposes of determining his or her eligibility for student assistance under title IV of the HEA, the value of education and training vouchers and any payments made directly to foster care youth under part E (Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act. Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress within one year on the educational attainment of homeless and foster care youth.