Risk of Homelessness Youth
A student is considered homeless if they lack fixed, regular, and adequate housing. This is broader than just living “on the street.” It includes but is not limited to:
- Youth sharing housing with other people temporarily because they had nowhere else to go;
- Youth living in emergency or transitional shelters, for example, trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency after disasters;
- Youth living in motels, campgrounds, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, bus or train stations, substandard housing, or any public or private place not designed for humans to live in;
- Youth living in the school dormitory if they would otherwise be homeless; and
- Youth who are migrants and who qualify as experiencing homelessness because they are living in circumstances as described above.
How to Be Considered for a Homeless Youth
Any student who is not yet 24 may qualify for a homeless youth determination. If you wish for us to determine if you meet the requirements of Homeless Youth, please submit the following:
- Submit your FAFSA for the applicable aid year online at studentaid.gov and bypass parent income information. As a reminder, the priority deadline to submit your FAFSA for the next aid year is January 15*.
- Submit the Confirmation of Unusual or Other Circumstances Form for the applicable aid year.
- A typed letter detailing the unusual circumstances that explain the reason for your request
- Supporting documentation that is specified on the form. If that documentation is unattainable then a Financial Aid Officer may request an interview for more clarification.
- Submit a signed copy of your most recent aid year’s federal income tax return, if you filed, or all W2s and/or paystubs if you earned income but did not file.
*Due to FAFSA/TASFA delays, the priority deadline for 2024-2025 has been extended to May 1. The State of Texas Deadline is still April 15 (for funding such as Texas Grant).