Many students from immigrant and mixed-status families face housing disruptions that affect their ability to access higher education. Immigration enforcement efforts can compromise family stability, making it difficult for caregivers to work and pay rent. In other cases, the detention or deportation of a family member can jeopardize a student’s living situation, putting them at risk of homelessness. Students may also worry about pursuing higher education and sharing sensitive family information. 

This guide is intended to help high school counselors and financial aid professionals support students in immigrant and mixed-status families who are at risk of homelessness. 

The guide walks counselors through the process for determining if a student is FAFSA eligible and meets the criteria of an unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY). It also identifies likely scenarios counselors may encounter and answers common questions about access to aid for students who face housing risks as a result of their or their family members’ immigration status. 

FAFSA Eligibility

Parental immigration status does not affect a student’s eligibility for financial aid. 

To qualify for federal aid, a student must either be a citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Eligible non-citizens include refugees, asylum recipients, and some survivors of trafficking or violence, among others.

Students experiencing homelessness may not have access to the documents they need to prove that they are a citizen or eligible non-citizen. Counselors can help students request the appropriate documentation online. 

Students can also receive assistance applying for vital documents like IDs, passports, birth certificates, and social security cards through the National Network for Youth’s I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth.

Dependency Status

Students who are 24 years of age or younger are automatically considered “dependent” unless they meet specific criteria. When a student is classified as “dependent,” they need to provide information about their parents when they submit the FAFSA. For FAFSA purposes, a “parent” is defined as the student’s biological or legal (e.g., adoptive) parent. 

The FAFSA Parent Wizard can help students identify which parent(s) count as a contributor and need to provide information as part of the financial aid application. FAFSA dependency status alone does not determine financial aid eligibility, and dependent students may qualify for need-based aid at levels comparable to independent students. Students in foster care, who have a court-appointed legal guardian, or who have been granted refugee or asylum status are examples of those considered independent students.

Students also qualify as independent if they are unaccompanied and homeless, or unaccompanied, self-supporting and at risk of homelessness. 

These students must receive an unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) determination.

Independent students do not need to provide parent information when filling out the FAFSA.

Even if a student does not qualify as an UHY, they may still qualify as an independent student or be eligible for a dependency override. Students need to contact the financial aid office at their institution to complete a dependency override.

Determining if a Student is Unaccompanied and at Risk of Homelessness

Common Scenarios and Frequently Asked Questions

Counselors and financial aid professionals may encounter scenarios that present classification challenges. Remember, UHY determinations are important for allowing students to submit the FAFSA as an independent applicant, meaning they do not need to provide parent/guardian information and can receive aid based solely on their own financial situation. 

Below are some tricky scenarios counselors might see. These examples are intended to help clarify when an UHY determination is appropriate.

Tips for Working with Immigration and Homelessness Impacted Youth

Immigration status and homelessness are both sensitive issues. Students might not be aware of their status, and families might not disclose their concerns or might evade questions that seem like they could put family members at risk.

In all scenarios, counselors should respect family privacy, avoid asking direct questions about immigration status, and clearly communicate with students about their financial aid options. Consider connecting families with immigrant-serving resources like the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, Immigration Advocates Network, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, or the National Immigration Law Center to make them feel more comfortable and aware of their resources. 

Reassure students about their eligibility for financial aid. 

To qualify for federal aid, students must either be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen. Emphasize that parental immigration status does not affect students’ ability to go to college or access financial aid. 

Clearly explain to students the difference between dependent and independent classifications and what information they need to give in either case. Make sure students understand that they may still qualify for aid as a dependent student. Whatever their situation, there are options available. 

Some states have alternative applications that allow undocumented students to apply for state and institutional financial aid. If your state has an alternative application, check with your college’s financial aid office to see if they accept the form from students who are citizens or eligible non-citizens and are in mixed-status families. Make sure students understand that they need to submit the FAFSA to qualify for federal aid, including Pell. For more information on in-state tuition, financial aid, and scholarships for immigrant students in each state, visit the National Immigration Law Center’s website and the Portal to the States on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.

Help identify documentation and request missing paperwork. 

Students in precarious living situations may not have all the documents they need to demonstrate their circumstances. Financial aid offices may also request copies of important documents, such as IDs. Work with students early on in high school to obtain necessary paperwork and IDs and develop a system for keeping track of important documents. Some states have laws pertaining to access to vital records for children and youth experiencing homelessness.

Keep clear records. 

Documenting conversations with students can help establish their classification and support them in petitioning for dependency overrides, if necessary. Keep consistent notes while adhering to privacy regulations. 

Avoid speculation and communicate honestly. 

Immigrant families contend with a lot of instability and stress. It’s important that counselors partner with trusted immigrant-serving organizations to provide accurate, up-to-date information and work with students and their support network to identify options. Families may encounter difficult choices, and there will not always be clear answers. Direct them to trusted resources and help them examine their options. For up-to-date information, visit the Presidents’ Alliance’s FAFSA Hub for Mixed-Status Families. 

Identify a trusted adult.

Students may not know their status. It may be important to bring in a trusted adult who is more culturally aware and speaks the student or family’s native language to help have these conversations. Connecting the student to immigrant-serving legal resources can help students and families with these conversations. Students and families can find resources at the National Immigration Law Center. College Corner also provides resources for K-12 counselors working with students impacted by immigration issues.  

Students may also need help identifying trusted individuals on campus, whether in the financial aid office, international student office, or elsewhere, to navigate the process of applying for college and financial aid. 

Respect family decisions. 

Choices about disclosing sensitive information should always be led by students and families. Clearly explain to students what information they need to provide based on their specific situation. Offer options, and take time to help families come to decisions together.