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Legislative bills

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Improve Higher Education Access for Homeless and Foster Youth

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A coalition of bipartisan lawmakers and national organizations has come together to introduce the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act. The bill aims to remove barriers and provide support to help students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care access and succeed in higher education. Alaska Congressman Don Young, Assistant Speaker of the House Katherine Clark, and U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Rob Portman led the charge, highlighting the need for a common-sense approach to support this vulnerable population. The bill seeks to improve student access to financial aid, housing, and other vital college resources, and has garnered the support of over 30 national organizations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act aims to improve student access to financial aid, housing, and other vital college resources for students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care.
  • The bill requires colleges and universities to work with the federal government to improve outreach to and resources for students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care.
  • National organizations endorsing the bill include the Alliance for Positive Youth Development, Association of Children's Residential & Community services, Boys Town, and over 25 others.
  • The bill provides in-state tuition rates for students who haven't had stable residency.
  • The bill requires the U.S. Department of Education to publish more transparent data on the number of students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care that are served, and ensure its grant programs identify, recruit, and prepare these students for college.
  • The bill designates liaisons to help provide services for vulnerable students and helps students access housing options between terms.

Statistics:

  • Over 30 national organizations have endorsed the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act.
  • The bill aims to support an estimated 1.7 million students who experience homelessness or foster care in the United States between the ages of 14 and 26.
  • Only 4 in 10 students experiencing homelessness who are eligible for federal student aid receive it, highlighting the need for increased support.
  • Students in foster care have a 1 in 5 chance of attending college compared to a 1 in 2 chance for their non-foster care peers.

Sources:

  • United States House of Representatives
  • Source: Alaska Congressman Don Young
  • Source: Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark (D-MA)
  • Source: U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rob Portman (R-OH)
  • Alliance for Positive Youth Development
  • Association of Children's Residential & Community services (ACRC)
  • Boys Town
  • National Association of Counsel for Children
  • National Coalition for the Homeless
  • National Education Association
  • SchoolHouse Connection
  • Student Housing Advocate Alliance
  • Youth Law Center
  • Youth Villages

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