Youth who have experienced homelessness face myriad challenges. It is imperative that the professionals who support them ensure that they have every possible opportunity to matriculate into college successfully. Key to this is having financial aid in place prior to starting college.

This training will provide a “how-to” on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assist those working with homeless youth. It will review the 2022-2023 FAFSA, including detailed instructions on how eligible homeless youth can qualify as independent students for the purposes of financial aid. Presenters will also describe key steps to take after the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) is submitted, such as creating a WebGrants account, to ensure that students ultimately receive and maximize their financial aid award.