Supporting Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

In addition to the rights that every McKinney-Vento eligible student is afforded, unaccompanied homeless youth (UHY) are eligible for the following protections:

• The right to be enrolled in school independently.  

  • • This allows the UHY to enroll in school without a parent/guardian present. They may come to enroll in school alone, with a temporary caregiver present, or enroll with the help of a liaison. This also allows them to participate in the full school program without a parent/guardian. This includes anything that would typically require a parent/guardian signature (e.g. permission slips, report cards, etc.) 

• The right to the prioritization of their wishes for school placement decisions

  • • This allows the UHY to choose between remaining enrolled in their school of origin or transferring to their school of residence. Their preference must be prioritized in a best interest determination, even when it contradicts that of a parent/legal guardian. 

• The right to receive full/partial credit for all satisfactorily completed work from prior school districts or participate in credit recovery programs as needed to ensure they stay on track for the next grade level and graduation.

  • • UHY may also be eligible for Act 1 protections (webpage) if they have experienced a school placement change as a result of their homelessness or other eligible life event. 

• The right to be informed of their independent status and receive verification for the completion of a FAFSA application. 

  • • This allows eligible UHY to complete the FAFSA application without their parent/guardian's financial information. See the section below for more information.

Temporary Caregiver Form - This form can be completed by an adult caregiver of a UHY who wishes to be an active participant in the student's education. This form cannot be required. 

• Unaccompanied Youth Caregiver Form (Digital PDF)

• Unaccompanied Youth Caregiver Form (Printable PDF)

• Unaccompanied Youth Caregiver Form - Spanish (Digital PDF)

• Unaccompanied Youth Caregiver Form - Spanish (Printable PDF)

Enrollment Form - This form may serve to support the identification of UHY and may be filled out by an adult caregiver of a UHY or potential UHY. This form cannot be required for enrollment. 

• Unaccompanied Youth Enrollment Form (Digital/Printable PDF) 

• Unaccompanied Youth Enrollment Form - Spanish (Digital/Printable PDF)

Determining Eligibility and Best Interest

• Best Interest Determination Checklist: School Placement Decision for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Digital PDF)

• Best Interest Determination Checklist: School Placement Decision for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Printable PDF)

• Determining Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Flow Chart (Digital PDF)

• Determining Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Flow Chart (Printable PDF)

• Informational Flyer for Unaccompanied Youth - English & Spanish (Digital/Printable PDF)

• Unaccompanied Homeless Youth - National Center for Homeless Education, (webpage)

Unaccompanied Youth & Special Education

• Basic Education Circular for Surrogate Parents, PDE, (webpage)

• Surrogate Parents and Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Under the Individuals with Disabilities Act, NAEHCY, (PDF)

MKV Programming for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

• McKinney-Vento Program Checklist: Best Practices for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Digital PDF)

• McKinney-Vento Program Checklist: Best Practices for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Printable PDF)

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth have the right to be informed of their independent status and receive verification for the completion of a FAFSA application. This allows eligible UHY to complete the FAFSA application without their parent/guardian's financial information.

• Verification of Independent Student Status for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Digital PDF) 

• Verification of Independent Student Status for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (Printable PDF)

• Accessing Post-Secondary Education: State and Federal Laws Supporting Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and Youth in Foster Care (Digital PDF)

• Accessing Post-Secondary Education: State and Federal Laws Supporting Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and Youth in Foster Care (Printable PDF)

• Higher Education: FAFSA & Homeless Youth, SchoolHouse Connection (webpage)