Answer: Yes, the liaison definitely can document independent student status for the FAFSA, because this student is and has been an unaccompanied homeless youth. I would argue she is homeless now, since her housing with her father is not stable and likely will end at some time soon. But regardless, under the Higher Education Act, she only has to have experienced homelessness at some point in the year in which the application is submitted. She definitely meets that criterion, so the liaison can write the verification letter for her. If she needs a sample letter, she can download our template.
We have a student who was homeless (doubled up) and now is staying with her father’s girlfriend. The father also lives there, but does not parent or provide for her. She only sleeps there (and I am not sure for how long). Can the homeless liaison document independent FAFSA status for her, since technically she is with her “parent’? Does the fact she was homeless during this senior year provide a basis for that independent status?
Mar 26, 2018 | Q and A