Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act

Bill: 113-s-1754
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2013-11-21
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Adoption and foster care

Census and government statistics

Child safety and welfare

Congressional oversight

Education programs funding

Elementary and secondary education

Government studies and investigations

Higher education

Homelessness and emergency shelter

Student aid and college costs
Latest action: action_date: 2013-11-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2013-11-21
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Defines &quot;foster care children and youth&quot; for purposes of the HEA.</p> <p>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. </p> <p>Requires postsecondary schools participating in programs under title IV (Student Assistance) of the HEA to: </p> <ul> <li> designate a staff person as a single point of contact to assist homeless and foster care youth in accessing and completing postsecondary education; </li> <li> post public notice about the assistance available to those youth, including their eligibility as independent students; </li> <li> have a plan for how those youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms; and </li> <li> include questions in their admissions application regarding the applicant's status as a homeless or foster care youth.</li> </ul> <p>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.)</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.)</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress within one year on the educational attainment of homeless and foster care youth.</p>

tv_txt: II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1754 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 21, 2013 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Landrieu , and Ms. Baldwin ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL 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) ) is amended— (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 after unaccompanied youth ; and (iii) by striking terms are and inserting term is ; (B) in clause (i), by inserting , or a designee of the liaison after Act ; (C) in clause (ii), by striking a program funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and inserting an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving homeless youth, ; and (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) and inserting Federal TRIO program or a Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate program under chapter 1 or 2 of subpart 2 of part A, ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (3) Simplifying the determination process for unaccompanied youth (A) Verification A financial aid administrator is not required to verify homelessness determinations made by the individuals 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 relevant authorities is sufficient verification when needed. (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. 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. (C) Duration of determination A student shall receive a determination under paragraph (1)(H) during the school year in which the student initially submits the application. In subsequent years, the student shall be presumed to be independent unless— (i) the student informs the financial aid office that circumstances have changed; or (ii) the financial aid administrator has specific conflicting information about the student’s independence. . (b) Foster care children and youth Section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1003 ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (25) Foster care children and youth The term foster care children and youth — (A) means children and youth whose care and placement is the responsibility of the State or Tribal agency that administers a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 et seq. and 670 et seq.), without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section 472 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 672 ) on behalf of the child; and (B) includes individuals whose care and placement was the responsibility of the State or Tribal agency that administers a State plan under part B or E of title IV of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 621 et seq. and 670 et seq.) when they were age 13 or older but are no longer the care and responsibility of the State or tribal agency. . 3. Student loan ombudsman Section 141(f)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1018(f)(3) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking and after the semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; 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 subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) or State Coordinators for Education of Homeless Children and Youths established under such subtitle. . 4. Program participation agreements Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1094(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (19), by inserting housing facilities, after libraries, ; and (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)) and foster care children and youth in accessing and completing postsecondary education; (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) has developed a plan for how homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms, through means that may include access to on-campus housing during breaks and a list of housing resources in the community that provide short-term housing; and (D) 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, which the applicant can answer voluntarily for the limited purpose of being provided information about financial aid or any other available assistance. . 5. Federal TRIO programs Section 402A of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (c), by striking the fourth sentence and inserting the following: The Secretary shall require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this chapter to identify, conduct specific outreach to, and recruit 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)), 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) ), and make available to foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths services under such programs, including mentoring, tutoring, and other services provided by such programs. ; and (2) in subsection (f)(3)— (A) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting and to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth after by the program ; (B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by inserting and to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth after by the program ; (C) in subparagraph (C)(iii), by inserting and to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth after total number of students ; and (D) in subparagraph (E)(iii), by inserting and to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth after by the program . 6. Talent search Section 402B(d) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–12(d) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (3), by striking and after the semicolon; (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 that the project collect and submit to the Secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served; (6) require that the project review and revise policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including policies to allow immediate participation even if the child or youth is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian or is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation, and other policies consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.); (7) require that the project submit a description of the activities that will be undertaken to outreach to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth; and (8) require that the project submit a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used that were effective in meeting the needs of 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) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4), by striking and after the semicolon; (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 that the project collect and submit to the Secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served; (7) require that the project review and revise policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including policies to allow immediate participation even if the child or youth is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian or is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation, and other policies consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.); (8) require that the project submit a description of the activities that will be undertaken to outreach to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth; and (9) require that the project submit a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used that were effective in meeting the needs of 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) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (5), by striking and after the semicolon; (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 that the project collect and submit to the Secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served; (8) require that the project review and revise policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including policies to allow immediate participation even if the child or youth is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian or is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation; (9) require that the project submit a description of the activities that will be undertaken to outreach to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth; and (10) require that the project submit a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used that were effective in meeting the needs of 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) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2), by striking and after the semicolon; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (4) require that the project collect and submit to the Secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served; (5) require that the project review and revise policies and practices to remove barriers to the participation and retention of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth, including policies to allow immediate participation even if the child or youth is unaccompanied by a parent or guardian or is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, medical records, proof of residency, or other documentation, and other policies consistent with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.); (6) require that the project submit a description of the activities that will be undertaken to outreach to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth; and (7) require that the project submit a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used that were effective in meeting the needs of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth. . 10. 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 after the semicolon; (2) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; 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 )), including— (i) how the 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 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 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.). . 11. 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 ) is amended— (1) in the section heading, by inserting , and homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth after children ; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking (a) Requirement .—In the case and inserting the following: (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 after July 1, 2015. (d) Definitions In this section: (1) Armed forces The terms armed forces and active duty for a period of more than 30 days have the meanings given those terms in section 101 of title 10, United States Code. (2) Homeless children and youths The term homeless children and youths has the meaning given the term in section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a). . 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) ) is amended by inserting , and to prioritize employment for students who are currently or formerly homeless children and youths or foster care children and youth after thereof . 13. Excludable income Section 480(e) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087vv(e) ) is amended by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following: (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. GAO report on educational attainment of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall prepare and submit a report on the educational attainment of youth who are or have been homeless, including those who are or have been unaccompanied homeless youth, and foster care youth to the appropriate committees of Congress. (b) Content The report described in subsection (a) shall review and assess enrollment and completion data for both accompanied and unaccompanied homeless youth and foster care youth, including the following: (1) The percentage of such youth attending an institution of higher education. (2) The percentage of such youth graduating from an institution of higher education. (3) The average length of time taken to obtain an associate's or bachelor’s degree. (4) The percentage of such youth attending— (A) a public institution of higher education; (B) a private institution of higher education; (C) a community college; and (D) a 4-year institution of higher education. (5) Reasons why such youth choose not to pursue a higher education. (6) The availability of public and private tuition assistance specifically for such youth and the awareness among such youth of such programs. (7) The availability of other public or private programs designed to encourage and support enrollment in, and completion of, higher education for such youth. (8) Ways in which the Department of Education might increase the educational attainment rates of such youth.