Reaching Out to Higher Education: Creating Networks to Support the College Access and Success of Homeless and Foster You

1. Reaching Out to Higher Education: Creating Networks to Support the College Access and Success of Homeless and Foster Youth Diana Bowman, Director, NCHE Marcia Weston, Director, College Goal Sunday, YMCA Pam Kies-Lowe, State Coordinator for Homeless Education , MI

2. Setting the Stage • Unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) and former foster youth not on the radar for higher education • These youth face many challenges • CCRA allows UHY to be considered independent students for filling out the FAFSA • Foster youth are able to access benefits through Title 4e • Many higher education institutions are unaware of ways to support UHY and former foster youth • A number of innovative strategies have been developed to ensure college access and success for these vulnerable youth • A statewide network provides foundation for supporting UHY and former foster youth

3. Odds of Higher Education Without Support # of Foster Youth Aging Out 100% 70% 65% 50% 10-15% 2-4% Wolanin, T.R., 2005. Higher education opportunities for foster youth: A primer for policymakers. Washington, D.C.: Institute for Higher Education Policy. http://www.ihep.com/Pubs/PDF/fosteryouth.pdf

4. Obstacles to Academic Success Physical and mental health Finances, financial planning Poor academic preparation Wary of adults; asking for help Lack of accountability to adults/systems System demands DHS Medicaid Court Mental Health Family obligations Siblings Death and violence Strong identity with home community

5. Student Support: 7 Life Domains Adapted from: Casey Family Programs

6. College Cost Reduction and Access (CCRA) Act • Independent student status (FAFSA) for unaccompanied homeless youth and self-supporting youth at risk of homelessness • Apply for aid without parental signature or consideration of parental income • Can be verified by: • Local liaison • RHYA-funded shelter director or designee • HUD-funded shelter director or designee • College Financial Aid Administrator

7. CCRA Act, cont. • Uses McKinney-Vento definition of homeless • At risk of homelessness: “when a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate • Includes a homeless student fleeing an abusive parent, even if the parent would provide housing and support • More information is available at www.serve.org/nche/ibt/higher_ed.php

8. FAFSA Questions 56) At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did your high school or school district homeless liaison determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? 57) At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of an emergency shelter or transitional housing program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless? 58) At any time on or after July 1, 2009, did the director of a runaway or homeless youth basic center or transitional living program determine that you were an unaccompanied youth who was homeless or were self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?

9. Challenges: Attaining Independent Student Status What we see: • Youth, financial aid offices not aware of changes in FAFSA • UHY not identified in high school or did not stay in shelter must be verified by financial aid office • Don’t understand the definition • Ask unreasonable or inappropriate modes of verification • Use “professional judgment”

10. The Financial Aid Office • First priority: Processing applications • Federal (FAFSA) • State (state grant programs) • Scholarships (local and college-based) • Growing number of statutory and regulatory requirements • Treatment of benefits; independent status; prior loan debt; auditing and reporting

11. The Financial Aid Office • Regulatory changes: • Financial aid processing systems • Current economic times: • Increase in student FAFSA submissions • Increase in request for special circumstances • Static or reduced budgets: • Decrease in financial aid staff resources • Decrease in aid dollars

12. What Can We Do? • Reach out to the financial aid office • Offer to provide information, resources, training on homeless student populations • Know the regulations with regard to financial aid for homeless and unaccompanied youth • Ask about resources currently on the campus for homeless youth and other underserved populations • Assist in developing a statewide network • Connect with NCHE and NAEHCY for assistance

13. On-Campus Support • Create greater awareness among instructors, staff, and administrators • Share NCHE’s brief • Solicit campus support (UNC-Asheville) • Place articles in newsletters, etc. • Add page to school’s website (Loyola) • Appoint a single point of contact for homeless students on each campus • Use education rights posters and brochures so students who fit the definition can identify themselves

14. On-Campus Support • Coordinate with liaisons for homeless education in nearby school districts • Create list of community resources • Assign youth a mentor to ensure needs are met • Set up a campus clothing closet and food pantry (UCLA) • Leave dormitories open over holidays; arrange places for students to stay with faculty, staff, community members

15. Good Ideas

16. KnowHow2Go website

17. Good Ideas UNC – Asheville Matrix Created by Laura Misner, College Foundation of North Carolina

18. What Does That Support Look Like? Seita Scholars Program

19. The Seita Scholars Program Michigan’s Foster Youth & Higher Education Initiative A comprehensive effort that involves multiple partnerships across departments and units within WMU, and between WMU and other community constituents, such as child welfare agencies and local colleges

20. History of Seita Scholars Program Spring 2007: Statewide Summit Meeting Summer 2007: Created John Seita Scholarship Fall 2007 – Spring 2008: Planning Committee and Student Advisory Group Fall 2008: Welcomed 1st Cohort of 51 Scholars Fall 2007 – Spring 2009: Program Budget & Plan Fall 2009: Welcomed 2nd Cohort of 47 Scholars Dec 2009: Established Seita Scholars Program office on campus Fall 2010: Welcomed 3rd Cohort of 49 Scholars Ongoing: Program Development – Best Practice

21. Seita Scholars Program – Goals To increase number of youth from foster care earning baccalaureate degrees To provide youth who age out of foster care and qualify for admission or transfer to WMU a transitional pathway to adulthood through the experience and achievement of undergraduate education To create a community of scholars among WMU students who have aged out of foster care

22. Seita Program Components • Student Outreach and Recruitment • WMU recruitment efforts expanded to include youth aging out of foster care and those who have exited the foster care system • Student Retention and Well-Being • John Seita Scholarship, renewable annually, for each year of undergraduate study • Work-study opportunities on campus • Year-round campus living (dorms closed for holidays & breaks) • Additional services – mentoring, tutoring, counseling, life skills workshops, advocacy, systems navigation help & more • Student Career Transition and Graduation • Career options and planning • Graduation support and planning • Transition from school to work and career

23. John Seita Scholarship &Seita Scholars Program Seita Scholarship Eligibility Admitted to Western Michigan University Qualified for Educ. Training Voucher Program in their state Submit FAFSA by March 1st Apply to WMU by May 1st (and be accepted; freshman & transfers may apply) Abide by Scholarship Agreement Reside on campus & abide by WMU codes for campus living Maintain full-time student status Take a seminar course for Seita Scholars Maintain satisfactory academic progress Participate in academic monitoring Meet with academic advisor & Campus Coaches Attend scheduled Seita Program events Pay bills on time (income from on campus work-study) Scholarship Package -3 main components to achieve minimal or no student loans • Tuition Scholarship • State Aid (ETV) • Financial Aid Grants

24. Seita Scholars – Demographics

25. Seita Scholars – Retention NOTE: 2 out of 3 Seita Scholars who “stepped out” remain in contact with the program, and are actively seeking to return to school.

26. Key Services: OUTREACH WMU Admissions form identifies applicants from foster care Work with caseworkers, foster parents and others to plan move to college Campus Coaches call/visit admitted students in home communities in summer Customized Campus Tours Provide information and resources about college to foster youth and assist with financial aid and application process Scholarship Package -3 main components to achieve minimal or no student loans Tuition Scholarship State Aid (ETV) Financial Aid Grants

27. Welcome Packs

28. Critical Retention Services Social Engagement Academic Support Physical & Mental Health Work Study

29. Key Services: RETENTION Campus Coaches 24 hour on call support DHS Liaison Student care packages Welcome, exams, holidays Campus housing over semester breaks Budgeting and financial planning Emergency funds Work study, employee skill development Trauma-informed Learning Assessments Volunteer coordination Academic support & monitoring Foster Youth and Higher Education Student Organization Leadership development; career mentoring Support with other systems Courts Human services Medicaid Public assistance Specialized Classes First year seminar Learning Styles & Strategies

30. Community & Identity: RETENTION A Community of Scholars 1st Cohort 2008-09 (n=51) 2nd Cohort 2009-10 (n=47)

31. Key Services: GRADUATION Campus Coaches 24 hour on call support Student Preparation Driver License; rental deposits; savings Budgeting and financial planning Emergency funds Volunteer Coordination Leadership development Career mentoring and career transitioning

32. Seita “Spin-Offs” in Michigan Michigan State University University of Michigan Acquinas College (private college) University of Phoenix Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) - focused ondramatically increasing MI college participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income and first-generation college students of all ages http://www.micollegeaccess.org Even HARVARD is offering FREE TUITION for families earning less than $40,000! http://www.fao.fas.harvard.edu

33. Future Directions Colleges have a role in serving homeless and foster care students WMU is developing a program model Lessons learned at WMU can inform policy and practice targeting foster youth and homeless populations Fields: child welfare, health care, education Human Service, Health, and Educational institutions can partner to better serve homeless youth and foster youth who age out of foster care

34. Current Challenges Students Academic preparation Social transition Engagement in learning Health Care Issues Medicaid ends on 21st birthday Physical, dental, mental & emotional health needs Child Welfare Issues Preparation/Academic readiness Caseworker continuity Continued financial support Higher Education Issues Communication with child welfare agencies Interrupted educational trajectories Preparation for graduation and career transition

35. Resources • US Department of Education's Application and Verification Guide http://www.ifap.ed.gov/ fsahandbook/attachments/0910AVG.pdf • Casey Family Programs http://www.casey.org/Resources/Publications/ProvidingEffectiveFinancialAid.htm • Loyola University website http://www.loyno.edu/financialaid/homeless-students • UCLA Economic Crisis Response Team http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128778321 • Western Michigan University’s Seita Scholars Program http://www.wmich.edu/fyit • Michigan Dept. of Human Services, Foster Youth in Transition http://www.michigan.gov/fyit • 2010 American Council on Education & Lumina Foundation for Education http://knowhow2go.org

36. Contact Information • Diana Bowman, NCHE, 336.315.7453, dbowman@serve.org • Marcia Weston, YMCA, 336.617.0535, Marcia Weston@YMCA.net • Pam Kies-Lowe, Michigan Department of Education, 517.241.1162, Kies-LoweP@michigan.gov