Removing Barriers and Increasing Access to Financial Aid for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, one in 10 American young adults ages 18 to 25, and at least one in 30 adolescent minors ages 13 to 17, experienced homelessness on their own over the course of a year. The current economic crisis and family stress related to shelter-in-place orders are creating new waves of youth homelessness. In the wake of the pandemic and school closures, unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness face greater barriers to accessing and completing higher education, including barriers to financial aid. Yet higher education remains their best opportunity for economic independence and healthier lives.

In this webinar, participants will:

• Review the federal definition of homelessness, and the causes and consequences of homelessness among unaccompanied youth, including related to COVID-19.
• Review current policies in the Every Student Succeeds Act and the Higher Education Act designed to remove barriers to financial aid.
• Learn practical strategies from financial aid administrators for implementing these policies and supporting homeless youth, including in the context of COVID-19.

Speakers

Rebecca Araujo
Financial Aid Counselor & Program Coordinator
California State University Long Beach (CSULB)

Barbara Duffield
Executive Director
SchoolHouse Connection

Stormy Hack
Current Student

Jillian Sitjar
Higher Education Program Manager
SchoolHouse Connection

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Accommodations 

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Certificate of Attendance

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Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® (CFAA) Recertification Points

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