<p>Hi there, I am really sorry in advanced for the long post.
I really, really need some advice here, though.</p>
<p>I have been living in a homeless shelter for youth (I'm currently 19). I have had a couple of stints of homeless-ness before as a minor due to economic and family problems, but all of them involved living with a non-guardian family member or with various friends. This is the first time that I have ever been homeless as an adult with no where to actually go. Even though I have only been at this shelter for about a month, I have no current options open to me other than here. I believe that I am probably going to be here until I can get on my feet.</p>
<p>I am currently enrolled at a small college, but I can only continue for this last semester - which was already paid for before I moved to the shelter. I originally wanted to get my associate's degree and transfer to a university, but I am not going to be able to come up with the money to do that at the moment. I think that my best bet at this point would be to go to a trade school, become licensed, get a job, and start working. I know that it sounds a little bit counteractive, but I need to go to school. I cannot honeslty work a minimum wage job for the rest of my life and expect to ever be financially independent.</p>
<p>The problem that I am running into is that I filled out fafsa earlier this year when I was still living with my parents at home. I was approved for the school that I was looking into, but I will not be attending there. I do not know how many times you can apply for fafsa in one year. I have a case worker, and can prove that I am living at a shelter. Would it be possible to fill out fafsa again with this new information? Or do I have to wait?</p>
<p>Do you think that there is any way that I can recieve any kind of help going to school? I really don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. I just need some financial assistance going to school so that I can get a decent paying job and become financially independent. I do have a job at the moment, but I am involved in a program at the shelter that requires that I put 60% of my paycheck into savings - the other 40% would be going towards school.</p>
<p>You can amend a FAFSA. Go online and do so. It could make a big difference in your status and your aid. Also, talk directly to the fin aid office of the college where you are and where you want to go next. Let them know your situation. </p>
<p>You will do best if you can get an experienced, caring person to oversee your “File” at the college financial aid office. They can’t make money out of air, but they definitely can steer you towards the things that apply to students with your situation. So, when you email or visit the office, see if you can meet with the rep that has your file (often the fin aid staff have a chunk of the alphabet). If “Carol” is cool and not helpful, see if you can figure out how to get in the hands of “Cassie” who knows the ropes and is willing to help you navigate. A personal relationship can really help with the information flow. </p>
<p>You also need to be in contact with other students in your situation because they are going to have specific, helpful experience (even if it is a disaster story, at least you’ll know). I know there was a story on . . . gee, I think it was NBC last week . . . about a special group in CA that helps former foster kids who are now college students. </p>
<p>Here is one story (not the one I am thinking of . . .Gray something ) but here’s a start: National College Advising Corps</p>
<p>I also googled: Homeless youth + college and came up with a number of sites. </p>
<p>Getting a copy of How to pay for college by Chany might also help. </p>
<p>Financial aid is a complicated world – however people do master it every year. The more you know about the system and how your piece fits in, the better you will navigate. </p>
<p>Keep records/a log of who you called, when, what phone number and extension or what email address and work the helpful contacts. Good luck. There are programs out there but you have to do the leg work to figure out which ones apply to you and which ones are worth pursuing.</p>
<p>Thank you so much! I really, really appreciate your help. I am really going to look into all of this. I really hope no one gets the wrong impression. I understand that there are def people out there in worse situations. I just can’t put school on hold, it’s really important to me to do this so that I can get out there and work - so that I am not in this situation as an adult. Thank you again!</p>