(a) A postsecondary educational institution that is a “qualifying institution,” as defined in Section 69432.7, shall do both of the following:
(1) Designate a staff member who is employed within the financial aid office, or another appropriate office or department, of the institution to serve as the Homeless and Foster Student Liaison. The Homeless and Foster Student Liaison shall be responsible for understanding the provisions of the federal Higher Education Act pertaining to financial aid eligibility of current and former foster youth and homeless youth, including unaccompanied homeless youth, and for identifying services available and appropriate for enrolled students who fall under one or more of these categories. The liaison shall assist these students in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid and available services.
(2) Inform current and prospective students of the institution about student financial aid and other assistance available to homeless youth and current and former foster youth, including their eligibility as independent students under Section 1087vv of the federal Higher Education Act, as that section read on December 31, 2015.
(b) The Regents of the University of California are requested to adopt policies that are, to the extent that is feasible, equivalent to the provisions of subdivision (a).
(c) The definitions of foster youth, former foster youth, and homeless youth in subdivision (b) of Section 66025.9 shall apply to this section.
(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 432, Sec. 3. (AB 801) Effective January 1, 2017.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018