Congressman Young Introduces Legislation To Remove Barriers, Provide Support For Homeless and Foster Students In Higher Education

Congressman Don Young, Assistant speaker of the House Katherine Clark (D-MA), and U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Higher Education Access and success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act. It aims to remove barriers and provide support to help students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care access and succeed in higher education.

Congressman Don Young said:

“Too many young people in Alaska and across our nation experience homelessness or time in the foster care system. We should be doing all we can to expand opportunity and upward mobility for this vulnerable population. Higher education can help open the doors to success, but too often, unique barriers prevent these kids from pursuing education beyond high school. I am proud to help introduce the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, which would improve student access to financial aid, housing, and other vital college resources. This commonsense approach can support and empower the next generation to reach their full potential. I am grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Assistant Speaker Clark and Senators Murray and Portman on this issue, and I call on my colleagues to stand with us on this crucial bill.”

The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act asks colleges and universities to work with the federal government to improve outreach to and resources for students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care, including helping students access housing options between terms, and designating liaisons to help provide services for these vulnerable students.

It also requires the U.S. Department of Education to publish more transparent data on the number of students experiencing homelessness and students in foster care that are served, and ensure its grant programs identify, recruit, and prepare these students for college. The bill also provides in-state tuition rates for those students who haven’t had stable residency.

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