I am working with an unaccompanied youth who graduated in June of 2020. In fall of 2022, I provided a letter verifying the student’s status when they graduated and providing current information on their living situation. The college called me and told me it was not acceptable documentation for me to provide a verification letter, even though it included current information. Do you have recommendations for letters or other documentation I can use to help remove barriers for unaccompanied homeless youth?

Answer: McKinney-Vento liaisons can provide unaccompanied homeless youth with FAFSA verification letters for students who have graduated, if the liaison is still in touch with the student and still has knowledge of the information necessary to make the verification.However, it sounds like the college is requiring 2 support letters. That’s definitely a barrier and also against the Application and Verification Guide. (The Unaccompanied Homeless Youth section begins on page 70 or the last three pages). The Application and Verification Guide is the guidance that financial aid offices must follow. In addition, much of the AVG now has been codified in law.

SchoolHouse Connection has partnered with NASFAA, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, on a co-branded FAQ document. This might be a good resource to share with the financial aid office. 

We have additional resources, as well as sample verification letters, on our higher education webpage as well. Guidance for verifying a student’s status after graduation is available here.

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