More Attention, Resources Focusing on Homeless College Students as Numbers Rise
"Experts say the number of homeless students is a growing - albeit not often discussed - issue at colleges and universities across the country. ... There are a number of structures in place to help homeless students in K-12, but fewer for homeless college students, said Jennifer Martin with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators," the Palm Beach Post reports. "Martin said some of the biggest challenges for these college students is finding housing and identifying resources to help them through college, whether it's financial assistance, finding health care options or navigating required paperwork. 'A lot of those things that other kids would take for granted, like buying textbooks or getting a college ID, are harder for homeless college students,' Martin said. She and others said the federal College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 has made it easier for schools to identify and help homeless students. But enforcement of the law is spotty, Martin said, with some administrators either not understanding the law or being suspicious that the student is trying to 'game the system.' 'Some financial aid administrators will make homeless students jump through extra hoops, force them to go over every sordid detail of their story, which can be incredibly difficult and painful,' Martin said. 'It could make these students stop wanting to go through the process and give up.'"
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