Bill > S789

This bill, the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, aims to improve the financial aid process and support services for homeless and foster care youth seeking higher education. Key provisions include: - Expanding the definition of "independent student" for FAFSA purposes to include unaccompanied youth up to age 23 and simplifying the verification process for determining independence. - Defining "foster care youth" and streamlining verification of independent status for these students. - Requiring institutions to designate a liaison to assist homeless and foster care students, provide priority housing, and include voluntary questions about homelessness/foster care status on admission applications. - Mandating outreach, recruitment, and support services for homeless and foster care youth in federal TRIO and GEAR UP programs. - Requiring reports on the number of homeless and foster care students served by these programs. - Allowing the value of foster care payments and services to be excluded from students' financial aid calculations. - Consolidating FAFSA questions related to homelessness and improving data transparency on the number of homeless and foster care applicants. - Providing in-state tuition rates for homeless and foster care youth at public institutions. Overall, the bill aims to reduce barriers and improve support for homeless and foster care students pursuing higher education.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/789/all-info