FASFA Simplification Act Removes Barriers for Youth and Young Adults

Are you assisting older youth with their post-secondary education? The FAFSA Simplification Act aims to remove obstacles for homeless youth and those with foster care experience. The U.S. Department of Education plans to implement it in phases, starting with the 2023-2024 FAFSA. The guidance regarding this act was released in April 2023.

1. Homeless or foster care status does not need to be redetermined every year. 
2. Determinations of unaccompanied homeless youth and foster youth status must be made as quickly as practicable.
3. More officials and programs are authorized to verify that an applicant is an unaccompanied homeless youth (and therefore an independent student).
4. Financial aid administrators must consider and accept documentation from one of the entities who are authorized to verify a youth’s status as an unaccompanied homeless youth unless there is “documented conflicting information.
5. If an institution requires documentation that a student was in foster care when the student is age 13 or older, the financial aid administrator must accept any of the following documents (in the absence of documented conflicting information)
6. Financial aid administrators must make a determination of unaccompanied homeless youth status for youth who cannot get determinations from other authorities.

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