Who Can Make a Determination That a Student Is an Unaccompanied Homeless Youth?

The following entities have the authority to make a determination that a student is an unaccompanied homeless youth or is self supporting and at risk of being homeless (designated authorities):

• A local educational agency homeless liaison, per the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;
• The director (or designee) of an emergency/transitional shelter, street outreach program, homeless youth drop-in center, or other program serving individuals experiencing homelessness;
• The director (or designed) of a program funded under subtitle B of title IV of McKinney-Vento (relating to emergency shelter grants) (42 USC 11371 et seq.);
• The director (or designee) of a project supported by a Federal TRIO or GEAR-UP grant; or
• A financial aid administrator (FAA) at your own institution or another institution.

Effective with the 2023-24 award year, when making a determination that a student is independent based on homelessness, Section 479D of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended, [20 USC 1087uu-2(a)], as clarified by Dear Colleague Letter GEN-23-06, states that the FAA must accept documentation from any of the above designated authorities.

If a student is unable to provide documentation from one of the above-listed authorities, then the FAA must make the determination:

• On a case-by-case basis;
• Based on a written statement from or a documented interview with the student that confirms the student is an unaccompanied homeless youth or at risk of homelessness; and
• Without regard to the reason for the student's situation.

Any student determined to be independent due to homelessness for a preceding award year shall be presumed to be independent for each subsequent award year at the same institution (unless student indicates a change or conflicting information exists). (See HEA Section 479A [20 USC 1087TT(c)(2)(B)(iv)])

For more information, see GEN-23-06 and guidance under "Unaccompanied Homeless Youth" in AVG Chapter 5 of the FSA Handbook.

Tools: Refer to the following tools to assist with this student population:

• Tip Sheet for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY)
• Homelessness--Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determinations: 2023-24 Template
• Homelessness--Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determinations: 2024-25 Template