Completing the FAFSA: A How-To for Supporters of Homeless Youth (2020)

Youth who have experienced homelessness face myriad challenges and it is imperative that professionals who work with them ensure that they have every possible opportunity to successfully matriculate into college and are set up for success. The key to this is having financial aid in place prior to starting college. This training provided a “how-to” on completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to assist those working with homeless youth. It reviewed the 2021-22 FAFSA, page by page, with new screenshots illustrating changes to the FAFSA since last year.

Presenters provided detailed instructions on how eligible homeless youth can qualify as independent students for the purposes of financial aid and described key steps to take after the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application is submitted to ensure that students actually receive the aid that they are eligible for.