,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #agie ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #ab1 #bjag,mrs4 ,murray 7for herself and ,mr4 ,portman7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife to improve the financial aid process for homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act4 #b4 ,definitions 7a7 ,independent student ,section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7d77#a77;,h77 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding clause 7i7-- 7,a7 by striking during the school year in which the application is submitted2 7,b7 by inserting age #bc or younger after unaccompanied youth2 and 7,c7 by striking terms are and inserting term is2 7#b7 in clause 7i71 by inserting 1 or a designee of the liaison after ,act2 7#c7 in clause 7ii71 by striking a program funded under the ,runaway and ,homeless ,youth ,act and inserting an emergency or transitional shelter1 street outreach program1 homeless youth drop-in center1 or other program serving homeless youth12 and 7#d7 in clause 7iii71 by striking program funded under subtitle ,b of title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7relating to emergency shelter grants7 and inserting ,federal ,,trio program or a ,gaining ,early ,awareness and ,readiness for ,undergraduate program under chapter #a or #b of subpart #b of part ,a14 7b7 ,foster care children and youth ,section #ajc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjc7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#be7 ,foster care children and youth ,the term foster care children and youth-- 7,a7 means children and youth whose care and placement are the responsibility of the ,state or ,tribal agency that administers a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq471 without regard to whether foster care maintenance payments are made under section #dgb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgb7 on behalf of such children and youth2 and 7,b7 includes individuals who were age #ac or older when their care and placement were the responsibility of a ,state or ,tribal agency that administered a ,state or ,tribal plan under part ,b or ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fba et seq4 and #fgj et seq47 and who are no longer under the care and responsibility of such a ,state or tribal agency1 without regard to any such individual's subsequent adoption1 guardianship arrangement1 or other form of permanency outcome4 4 #c4 ,streamlining determinations and verification ,section #dhj7;d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7d77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#c7 ,simplifying the determination process for unaccompanied youth 7,a7 ,verification ,a financial aid administrator shall accept a homelessness determination made by any individual authorized to make such determinations under clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii7 of paragraph 7#a77;,h7 in the absence of conflicting information4 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 one of the authorized individuals is sufficient verification when needed4 ,for purposes of this paragraph1 a financial aid administrator's disagreement with the determination made by an authorized individual shall not be considered conflicting information4 7,b7 ,determination of independence ,a financial aid administrator shall make a determination of independence under paragraph 7#a77;,h7 if a student does not have1 and cannot get1 documentation from any of the other designated authorities described in such paragraph4 ,such a determination shall be-- 7i7 based on the definitions outlined in paragraph 7#a77;,h72 7ii7 distinct from a determination of independence under paragraph 7#a77;,i72 7iii7 based on a documented interview with the student2 and 7iv7 limited to whether the student meets the definitions in paragraph 7#a77;,h7 and not about the reasons for the student's homelessness4 7#d7 ,simplifying the verification process for foster children and youth 7,a7 ,verification of independence ,if an institution requires documentation to verify that a student is independent based on a status described in paragraph 7#a77;,b71 a financial aid administrator shall consider any of the following as adequate verification3 7i7 ,submission of a court order or official ,state documentation that the student received ,federal or ,state support in foster care4 7ii7 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1-- 7,i7 a child welfare agency authorized by a ,state or county2 7,,ii7 a tribal child welfare authority2 7,,iii7 an ,independent ,living case worker2 7,,iv7 a public or private foster care placing agency or foster care facility or placement2 7,v7 another program serving orphans1 foster children and youth1 or wards of the court2 or 7,,vi7 a probation officer4 7iii7 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 an attorney1 a guardian ad litem1 or a ,court ,appointed ,special ,advocate1 documenting that person's relationship to the student4 7iv7 ,a documented phone call with1 or a written statement from1 a representative of a ,federal ,,trio program or a ,gaining ,early ,awareness and ,readiness for ,undergraduate program under chapter #a or #b of subpart #b of part ,a4 7v7 ,verification of the student's eligibility for an education and training voucher under the ,john ,h4 ,chafee ,foster ,care ,independence ,program 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fgg74 7vi7 ,submission of a copy of the student's biological or adoptive parents'-- 7,i7 ,certificates of ,death2 or 7,,ii7 newspaper obituaries4 7vii7 ,an attestation from the student1 which includes a description of why the student may qualify for a status described in paragraph 7#a77;,b71 including the approximate dates that the student was in foster care1 dependent1 or a ward of the court1 to the best of the student's knowledge after making reasonable efforts to provide any requested documentation4 7,b7 ,additional streamlining permitted ,nothing in this paragraph prohibits an institution from implementing polices that streamline the determination of independent status and improve a student's access to financial aid because that student is an orphan1 in foster care1 or a ward of the court1 or was an orphan1 in foster care1 or a ward of the court at any time when the student was #ac years of age or older4 7#e7 ,timing2 use of earlier determination 7,a7 ,timing ,a determination under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a7 for a student-- 7i7 shall be made as quickly as practicable2 7ii7 may be made as early as the year before the award year for which the student initially submits an application2 and 7iii7 shall be made no later than during the award year for which the student initially submits an application4 7,b7 ,use of earlier determination ,any student who is determined to be independent under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a7 for a preceding award year at an institution shall be presumed to be independent for a subsequent award year at the same institution unless-- 7i7 the student informs the institution that circumstances have changed2 or 7ii7 the institution has specific conflicting information about the student's independence1 and has informed the student of this information and the opportunity to challenge such information through a documented interview or an impartial review by the ,student ,loan ,ombudsman pursuant to section #ada7;f77#c77;,c74 7#f7 ,retention of documents ,a financial aid administrator shall retain all documents related to the determination of independence under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of paragraph 7#a71 including documented interviews1 for the duration of the student's enrollment at the institution and for a minimum of #a year after the student is no longer enrolled at the institution4 4 #d4 ,student loan ombudsman ,section #ada7;f77#c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajah7;f77#c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 receive1 review1 and resolve expeditiously complaints regarding a student's independence under subparagraph 7,b7 or 7,h7 of section #dhj7;d77#a71 in consultation with knowledgeable parties1 including child welfare agencies1 local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths designated under section #gbb7;g77#a77;,j77ii7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb7;g77#a77;,j77ii771 or ,state ,coordinators for ,education of ,homeless ,children and ,youths established in accordance with section #gbb of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb74 4 #e4 ,housing and single point of contact 7a7 ,access to housing ,section #dhg7;a77#ai7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajid7;a77#ai77 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking ,the institution will not and inserting the following3 ,the institution-- 7,a7 will not 2 7#b7 by inserting housing facilities1 after libraries12 7#c7 by striking institution4 and inserting institution2 and2 and 7#d7 by adding at the end the following3 7,b7 will provide a means for students to access institutionally owned or operated housing if a student is temporarily unable to meet financial obligations related to housing1 including deposits1 due to delayed disbursement of vouchers for education and training made available under section #dgg of part ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act or delays attributable to the institution4 4 7b7 ,single point of contact ,section #dhe of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajib7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7n7 ,each institution of higher education participating in any program under this title shall-- 7#a7 have designated an appropriate staff person as a single point of contact to assist homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a77 and foster care children and youth in accessing and completing postsecondary education1 including by ensuring that such homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth are connected to applicable and available student support services1 programs1 and community resources in areas such as financial aid1 academic advising1 housing1 food1 public benefits1 health care1 health insurance1 mental health1 and mentoring2 7#b7 post public notice about student financial assistance and other assistance available to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth1 including their eligibility as independent students under subparagraphs 7,b7 and 7,h7 of section #dhj7;d77#a72 7#c7 give priority for any institutionally owned or operated housing facilities1 including student housing facilities that remain open for occupation during school breaks or on a year-round basis1 to-- 7,a7 homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a772 7,b7 youths who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting2 and 7,c7 foster care children and youth2 7#d7 have developed a plan for how homeless children and youths1 youths who are unaccompanied1 at risk of homelessness1 and self-supporting1 and foster care children and youth can access housing resources during and between academic terms1 through means that may include access to institutionally owned or operated housing during breaks and a list of housing resources in the community that provide short-term housing2 and 7#e7 include1 in its application for admission1 questions 7to be answered voluntarily7 regarding the applicant's status as a homeless child or youth or foster care child or youth1 that-- 7,a7 can be answered by the applicant voluntarily for the limited purpose of being provided information about financial aid or any other available assistance2 and 7,b7 explain the key terms in the question in a manner children and youth can understand in order to self-identify and declare eligibility as a homeless child or youth or foster care child or youth4 4 #f4 ,federal ,,trio programs ,section #djb;,a of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#aa7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#f71 by striking the last sentence and inserting the following3 ,the ,secretary shall require each applicant for funds under the programs authorized by this chapter to identify and conduct outreach to foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 and make available to foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths services under such programs1 including mentoring1 tutoring1 and other services provided by such programs42 and 7#b7 in subsection 7f77#b71 by striking college students1 and and inserting college students1 foster care children and youth1 homeless children and youth1 and4 #g4 ,talent search ,section #djb;,b7d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ab7;d77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including unaccompanied youths1 and foster care children and youth2 7#f7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application for the project1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth as part of the project2 and 7#g7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 4 #h4 ,upward bound ,section #djb;,c7e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ac7;e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#d71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#f7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including unaccompanied youths1 and foster care children and youth2 7#g7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth regarding the project2 and 7#h7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 4 #i4 ,student support services ,section #djb;,d7e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ad7;e77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#e71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#f77;,b71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including unaccompanied youths1 and foster care children and youth2 7#h7 require that such entity submit1 in the application for the project1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths1 and foster care children and youth1 who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment at the institution2 and 7#i7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 4 #aj4 ,educational opportunity centers ,section #djb;,f7c7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#af7;c77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#c71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#e7 require an assurance that the entity carrying out the project has reviewed and revised policies and practices as needed to remove barriers to the participation and retention in the project of homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including unaccompanied youths1 and foster care children and youth2 7#f7 require that such entity submit1 as part of the application1 a description of the activities that will be undertaken to reach out to homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth regarding the project2 and 7#g7 require an assurance that such entity will prepare and submit the report required under section #djb;,h7e7 at the conclusion of the project regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 4 #aa4 ,reports and evaluations ,section #djb;,h of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#ah7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7e7 ,report regarding homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth ,each entity carrying out a project under section #djb;,b1 #djb;,c1 #djb;,d1 or #djb;,f shall1 at the conclusion of the project1 prepare and submit a report to the ,secretary that includes-- 7#a7 data on the number of homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a77 and foster care children and youth served through the project2 and 7#b7 a description of any strategies or program enhancements that were used in the project and that were effective in meeting the needs of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth4 4 #ab4 ,gaining early awareness and readiness for undergraduate programs ,section #djd;,c7a77#b7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;a-#bc7;a77#b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,i71 by striking and after the semicolon2 7#b7 in subparagraph 7,j71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7,k7 describe how the eligible entity will facilitate the participation of foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including-- 7i7 how the eligible entity will identify foster care children and youth and homeless children and youths1 in collaboration with child welfare agencies1 homeless shelters1 and local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths designated under section #gbb7;g77#a77;,j77ii7 of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcb7;g77#a77;,j77ii772 7ii7 how the eligible entity will collect and submit to the ,secretary data on the number of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth served2 and 7iii7 the policies and practices the eligible entity will adopt to remove barriers to the participation of homeless children and youths and foster care children and youth1 including policies to facilitate continued participation despite changes in residence resulting from homelessness or foster care placement and policies consistent with the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacja et seq474 4 #ac4 ,grant for ,federal work-study programs ,section #ddc7;b77#f7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhg-ec7;b77#f77 is amended by inserting 1 and prioritize employment for students who are currently or formerly homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a77 or foster care children and youth after thereof4 #ad4 ,excludable income ,section #dhj7;e7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajhgvv7e77 is amended by striking paragraph 7#e7 and inserting the following3 7#e7 payments made and services provided under part ,e of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act to or on behalf of any child or youth over whom the ,state agency has responsibility for placement1 care1 or supervision1 including the value of vouchers for education and training and amounts expended for room and board for youth who are not in foster care but are receiving services under section #dgg of such ,act2 and 4 #ae4 ,consolidating questions regarding homeless status on the ,,fafsa ,section #dhc7;a77#d7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7;a77#d77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,single question regarding homeless status ,the ,secretary shall ensure that1 on each form developed under this section for which the information is applicable1 there is a single1 easily understood screening question to identify an applicant for aid who is-- 7i7 an unaccompanied homeless child or youth 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act72 or 7ii7 an unaccompanied youth who is self-supporting and at risk of homelessness4 4 #af4 ,data transparency on the number of financial aid applicants ,section #dhc of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajij7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,data transparency on the number of applicants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall annually publish data on the number of individuals who apply for ,federal student aid pursuant to this section who are homeless children and youths 7as such term is defined in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a771 including unaccompanied youths1 and foster care children and youth4 7#b7 ,contents ,the data described in paragraph 7#a7 with respect to homeless children and youths shall include1 at a minimum1 for each application cycle-- 7,a7 the total number of all applicants who were determined to be 7or to be at risk of becoming7 unaccompanied homeless youth1 under section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h72 7,b7 the number of applicants described in subparagraph 7,a71 disaggregated-- 7i7 by ,state2 and 7ii7 by the sources of determination as described in clauses 7i7 through 7iv7 of section #dhj7;d77#a77;,h72 and 7,c7 the number of undetermined requests for homelessness consideration1 including statuses that remain unknown because no determination had been made in response the applicant's request for the institution to consider the applicant's special circumstance of being homeless4 4 #ag4 ,in-,state tuition rates for homeless children or youths and foster care children and youth ,section #ace of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajae;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by inserting 1 homeless children or youths1 and foster care children and youth after children2 7#b7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 by striking 7a7 ,requirement4--,in the case and inserting the following3 7a7 ,requirement 7#a7 ,armed forces ,in the case 2 and 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,homeless children or youths and foster care children or youth ,in the case of a homeless child or youth or a foster care child or youth1 such ,state shall not charge such individual tuition for attendance at a public institution of higher education in the ,state at a rate that is greater than the rate charged for residents of the ,state4 2 and 7#c7 by striking subsections 7c7 and 7d7 and inserting the following3 7c7 ,effective date 7#a7 ,armed forces ,with respect to an individual described in subsection 7a77#a71 this section shall take effect at each public institution of higher education in a ,state that receives assistance under this ,act for the first period of enrollment at such institution that begins after ,july #a1 #bjji4 7#b7 ,homeless children or youths and foster care children or youth ,with respect to an individual described in subsection 7a77#b71 this section shall take effect at each public institution of higher education in a ,state that receives assistance under this ,act for the first period of enrollment at such institution that begins during the first full award year following the date of enactment of the ,higher ,education ,access and ,success for ,homeless and ,foster ,youth ,act4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,armed forces ,the terms armed forces and active duty for a period of more than #cj days have the meanings given those terms in section #aja of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,homeless children and youths ,the term homeless children and youths has the meaning given the term in section #gbe of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadcd;a74 4