Unaccompanied homeless youth is a federal status under McKinney-Vento. A student qualifies under one of two paths: (1) unaccompanied and homeless, or (2) unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness. Being unaccompanied is required in both. An approved determination carries forward at SF for later award years.
Federal Standard
Federal law requires the student to meet one of two profiles. Unaccompanied (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian) is required for both.
- Unaccompanied and homeless. The student is not in the custody of a parent or guardian and meets the McKinney-Vento definition of homeless.
- Unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness. The student is not in the custody of a parent or guardian, supports themselves financially, and faces a real risk of homelessness.
A student who is homeless but living with a parent does not qualify, because they aren't unaccompanied. A student who is unaccompanied but has stable housing does not qualify, because they aren't homeless or at risk. A student fleeing an abusive parent may qualify even if that parent would otherwise provide housing.
McKinney-Vento Definition of Homeless
Homeless under McKinney-Vento means lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.
- Fixed. Stationary, permanent, and not subject to change.
- Regular. Used on a predictable, routine, or consistent basis.
- Adequate. Sufficient for the physical and psychological needs typically met in a home.
Situations that commonly meet the standard:
- Staying with others because of lost housing or economic hardship
- Living in motels, hotels, or campgrounds for lack of alternatives
- Living in emergency or transitional shelters
- Living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, or substandard housing
FAFSA Question
The FAFSA asks: At any time on or after July 1 of the base year, was the student (1) unaccompanied and homeless, or (2) unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of being homeless?
If the student answers yes, the FAFSA asks whether one of these three providers made the determination:
- A high school or school district homeless liaison (McKinney-Vento liaison)
- The director or designee of an emergency or transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving people experiencing homelessness
- The director or designee of a federal TRIO or GEAR UP program
A determination from any of these establishes independent status without further documentation.
When SF Makes the Determination
SF's College Ombudsperson serves as the college's homeless liaison, conducts the interview, and makes the determination. This applies when the student answered yes on the FAFSA but didn't have one of the three qualified-provider determinations above, and when the student answered no on the FAFSA but circumstances have since changed. In the second case, the student contacts the Financial Aid Office first.
Crossover with Unusual Circumstances
The same underlying facts, such as abuse, abandonment, or estrangement, often qualify under both unaccompanied homeless youth and unusual circumstances. When both may apply, the College Ombudsperson can complete a homeless determination. Homelessness is usually easier to establish, the documentation is often simpler, and the outcome is the same as an unusual circumstances review: independent status.
Tuition and Fee Exemption
A student experiencing homelessness may also qualify for a tuition and fee exemption. This is separate from the financial aid determination.
What Happens Next
The College Ombudsperson conducts the interview and makes the determination. If approved, the student's dependency status changes to independent. The determination carries forward at SF for each later award year unless the student reports changed circumstances or the Financial Aid Office identifies conflicting information.