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Help for students experiencing homelessness in Arizona: your rights at school, who can help, how the FAFSA treats you, and where to go tonight.
You do not have to figure this out alone. These lines are free and confidential.
If you are in danger right now, call 911.
Suicide and crisis line. Call, text or chat if you feel unsafe, overwhelmed or alone.
Hours: “The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7/365.”
988 (call or text); chat at 988lifeline.org; Spanish: press 2 or text AYUDA to 988
Call, text, or chat with a 988 Lifeline counselor for help during difficult moments anytime, day or night.Source: 988lifeline.org
For young people who left home, are thinking about it, or are on their own and in crisis.
Hours: “available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”
1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929); text 1-800-786-2929 (site sms link); live chat, email and forum at 1800runaway.org
If you’re in crisis, you’ve come to the right place. The National Runaway Safeline is here to listen and here to help.Source: 1800runaway.org
Arizona’s statewide crisis line, for any Arizona resident, with or without insurance.
Hours: “24/7/365 crisis telephone lines operated by trained crisis specialists.”
1-844-534-HOPE (4673); text 4HOPE (44673); chat with a crisis specialist
Crisis services are available to any Arizona resident, regardless of health insurance coverage.Source: azahcccs.gov
A crisis line for teens, listed by Arizona’s Medicaid agency (AHCCCS).
Hours: “Call 24/7/365 | Text and Peer Counseling 3-9 p.m. daily”
602-248-8336 (TEEN), call or text; Southern Arizona 520-327-8336
Our hours are: Call 24/7/365 | Text and Peer Counseling 3-9 p.m. dailySource: teenlifeline.org
If someone at home or in a relationship is hurting you, they can help you plan and find shelter.
1.800.799.SAFE (7233); text "START" to 88788; live chat at thehotline.org
Free. Confidential. 24/7.Source: thehotline.org
Connects you to local shelter, housing and other help anywhere in Arizona.
Dial 2-1-1 within Arizona; 877-211-8661 from anywhere; Arizona Relay 7-1-1 or 800-367-8939
Dial 2-1-1 to get connected to local resources in your community throughout the state. Help is available from 9:00am – 7:00pm, seven days a week: in English and Spanish.Source: 211arizona.org
A federal law, the McKinney-Vento Act, protects students who do not have a fixed, regular and adequate place to sleep at night. That includes staying with friends or relatives because you lost your housing, staying in a motel, car or shelter.
In plain words
You count as homeless if you do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep at night. This includes sharing other people's housing because you lost your home, because of money trouble, or a similar reason; living in a motel, hotel, trailer park, or campground because there is no other adequate place; living in an emergency or transitional shelter; being abandoned in a hospital; sleeping in a place not meant for people to sleep; living in a car, park, public space, abandoned building, substandard housing, bus or train station, or similar setting; and migratory children living in any of these ways.
What the law says: Federal definition of homeless children and youths (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2))
The term “homeless children and youths”— (A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(1) of this title); and (B) includes— (i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(2)(C) of this title); (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 6399 of title 20) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this part because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
An unaccompanied youth is a homeless young person who is not living with a parent or guardian.
What the law says: Unaccompanied youth definition (42 U.S.C. 11434a(6))
The term “unaccompanied youth” includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
The school must sign you up right away, even if you do not have old school records, shot records, health records, proof of where you live, or other papers, and even if you missed a sign-up deadline while homeless.
What the law says: Immediate enrollment even without records or proof of residency (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(C)(i))
The school selected in accordance with this paragraph shall immediately enroll the homeless child or youth, even if the child or youth— (I) is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, or other documentation; or (II) has missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
Your new school must contact your last school right away to get your school records.
What the law says: New school gets your records (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(C)(ii))
The enrolling school shall immediately contact the school last attended by the child or youth to obtain relevant academic and other records.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
If you need shots or health records, the school must send your parent or guardian (or you, if you are on your own) to the district's homeless liaison right away. The liaison will help you get the shots, checkups, or records.
What the law says: Help getting shots or health records (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(C)(iii))
If the child or youth needs to obtain immunizations or other required health records, the enrolling school shall immediately refer the parent or guardian of the child or youth, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth, to the local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii), who shall assist in obtaining necessary immunizations or screenings, or immunization or other required health records, in accordance with subparagraph (D).Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
Based on what is best for you, the district must either keep you in your original school for as long as you are homeless (and to the end of the school year if you find housing during the year), or enroll you in any public school that other students who live where you are staying now can attend.
What the law says: Right to stay in your school of origin or enroll where you live now (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(A))
The local educational agency serving each child or youth to be assisted under this part shall, according to the child’s or youth’s best interest— (i) continue the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness— (I) in any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; and (II) for the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or (ii) enroll the child or youth in any public school that nonhomeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
The district must assume that staying in your original school is best for you, unless your parent or guardian (or you, if you are on your own) asks for something different.
What the law says: Staying in the school of origin is presumed best (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(B)(i))
In determining the best interest of the child or youth under subparagraph (A), the local educational agency shall— (i) presume that keeping the child or youth in the school of origin is in the child’s or youth’s best interest, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the child’s or youth’s parent or guardian, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth;Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
Your school of origin is the school you went to when you last had stable housing, or the school you were last enrolled in. Preschool counts too.
What the law says: What "school of origin" means (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(I)(i))
The term “school of origin” means the school that a child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled, including a preschool.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
If your parent or guardian asks (or the liaison asks for a youth on their own), you must get rides to and from your school of origin. If you still live in that school's district, that district provides or arranges the rides.
What the law says: Transportation to the school of origin (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(iii))
The State and the local educational agencies in the State will adopt policies and practices to ensure that transportation is provided, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison), to and from the school of origin (as determined under paragraph (3)), in accordance with the following, as applicable: (I) If the child or youth continues to live in the area served by the local educational agency in which the school of origin is located, the child’s or youth’s transportation to and from the school of origin shall be provided or arranged by the local educational agency in which the school of origin is located.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
You must get the same kinds of services other students at your school get. This includes rides, extra school help you qualify for (like Title I, special education, and English learner programs), career and technical classes, gifted programs, and school meal programs.
What the law says: Comparable services, including transportation and school meals (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(4))
Each homeless child or youth to be assisted under this part shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected under paragraph (3), including the following: (A) Transportation services. (B) Educational services for which the child or youth meets the eligibility criteria, such as services provided under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) or similar State or local programs, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for English learners. (C) Programs in career and technical education. (D) Programs for gifted and talented students. (E) School nutrition programs.Source: law.cornell.edu
In plain words
Homeless, migrant, and runaway children automatically qualify for child nutrition programs like school meals.
What the law says: Free school meals: categorical eligibility (Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, per NCHE)
The Act extends categorical eligibility for child nutrition programs to homeless, migrant, and runaway children.Source: nche.ed.gov
In plain words
If there is a disagreement about whether you qualify or which school you go to, you must be enrolled right away in the school you want while it is being settled, including appeals. You must get a written reason for any decision and your right to appeal. You will be sent to the district liaison, who must settle the disagreement as fast as possible. If you are on your own, the liaison must make sure you are enrolled right away.
What the law says: Enrollment disputes (42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(3)(E))
If a dispute arises over eligibility, or school selection or enrollment in a school— (i) the child or youth shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought, pending final resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals; (ii) the parent or guardian of the child or youth or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth shall be provided with a written explanation of any decisions related to school selection or enrollment made by the school, the local educational agency, or the State educational agency involved, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to appeal such decisions; (iii) the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth shall be referred to the local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii), who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as described in paragraph (1)(C) as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute; and (iv) in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in the school in which the youth seeks enrollment pending resolution of such dispute.Source: law.cornell.edu
Every Arizona school district and charter has a McKinney-Vento homeless liaison. They are the person to ask first: they can confirm you qualify, help you enroll, set up rides and free meals, and later confirm your status for the FAFSA.
What ADE says
If you would like to connect with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison at your child’s school district, you may do so by accessing the McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison Contact List. Locate your child’s school district and McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison on this list and contact them through the email address or phone number they have provided.Source: azed.gov
In plain words
Every school district has a homeless liaison who decides if a student qualifies. The liaison can help pick the best school, help with enrolling and talking to the school, and help get school supplies, extra services, free school meals, rides to the school of origin, and help in the community.
What the law says: What the liaison can help with, including free meals (Arizona Department of Education)
Every school district has a local McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison who determines if students qualify for services. They can help you decide which school is the best for your child to attend, and help with enrolling in and communicating with your child’s school. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison can also help your child get school supplies, supplemental services, and free school meals; set up transportation to and from the school of origin; and help you find community supports.Source: azed.gov
In plain words
If you think your living situation might qualify, contact your school district's homeless liaison, even if you are not living with a parent or court-appointed guardian.
What the law says: Youth on their own can ask for help (Arizona Department of Education)
If you believe that your living situation may qualify you for the educational rights and services ensured under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, even if you are not in the physical custody of a parent or court-appointed guardian, please reach out to your school district’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison.Source: azed.gov
Arizona state office
homeless@azed.gov; (602) 542-4963
If you are unsure of what school district or McKinney-Vento Homeless Liaison you should contact or have any difficulty reaching them, please contact our Office by emailing homeless@azed.gov or by calling (602) 542-4963.Source: azed.gov
If you are an unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness, or on your own and at risk of losing your housing, you can be treated as an independent student on the FAFSA. That means you do not need a parent’s information.
If you are under 24, you may be able to get a homeless youth determination. Each student is looked at one at a time.
Any student who is not yet 24 may qualify for a homeless youth determination. It is important to make homeless youth determinations on a case-by-case basis.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
At risk of being homeless means your housing may stop being steady, regular, and good enough. One example is being evicted and not finding a steady, good place to live.
At risk of being homeless—when a student’s housing may cease to be fixed, regular, and adequate, for example, a student who is being evicted and has been unable to find fixed, regular, and adequate housing.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
Homeless means you do not have a steady, regular, and good-enough place to live.
Homeless—lacking fixed, regular, and adequate housing.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
Unaccompanied means you are not living in the care of a parent or guardian.
Unaccompanied—when a student is not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
If you are unaccompanied and homeless, or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, you qualify for a homeless youth determination and count as an independent student on the FAFSA form.
Regardless of their age, applicants who are unaccompanied and homeless, or self-supporting and at risk of being homeless, qualify for a homeless youth determination and will be considered independent students on the FAFSA® form.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
The 2026-27 federal handbook lists these people. A letter or determination from any one of them is enough:
These people can say you are a homeless youth: your school district's homeless liaison (or helper), the director (or helper) of a shelter, street outreach program, drop-in center, or other homeless program, the director (or helper) of a TRIO or GEAR UP program, or a financial aid worker at another college who wrote down your situation this year or an earlier year.
Source: fsapartners.ed.govA determination from one of these people is enough. If you have one, your college must not ask you for more proof unless it has information that does not match.
The HEA, as amended, provides that documentation from one of the above authorities is sufficient for establishing a student’s unaccompanied homeless youth status. Therefore, if the student has received a documented determination from one of these authorities, the institution must not request additional documentation, proof, or statements unless it has conflicting information about the student’s status.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
The college’s financial aid office must decide your case itself. The federal rules say:
If none of those people made a determination, the college financial aid worker must decide your case. They can use a written statement from you or a recorded interview with you.
In the absence of a determination by the entities above, you, the FAA, must make a case-by-case determination of homeless youth status (see Chapter 5) based upon a written statement from, or a documented interview with, the student that confirms that they are an unaccompanied homeless youth, or unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
You do not need police or Child Protective Services reports. The college should look at whether you are an unaccompanied homeless youth, not why.
Also, documents such as police or Child Protective Services reports are not necessary. Don’t focus on why the student is homeless or unaccompanied but on whether the evidence shows they are an unaccompanied homeless youth.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
If you said yes but nobody on the list made a determination, pick "None of these apply" and contact your college's financial aid administrator. They can decide if you are homeless, so you do not have to give parent information.
If you answered “Yes” but did not receive a determination from the persons listed, select “None of these apply” and contact the financial aid administrator at your college. This person can determine if you are “homeless” and, therefore, not required to provide parent information.Source: studentaid.gov
What to tell the financial aid office
Colleges must review your request as fast as they reasonably can, and no later than 60 days after you enroll. They can still decide if you ask later in the year.
Institutions must review all requests for a determination of independence as quickly as practicable, but no later than 60 days after the student enrolls. This timeframe in the law is intended to encourage FAAs to make determinations as quickly as practicable. It is not intended to inhibit FAAs from making such a determination when a student requests one later in an award year.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
Once your college decides you are homeless, it should keep treating you as independent each year you stay there, unless you tell it things changed or it has information that does not match. A written decision from a financial aid worker at another college, from this year or an earlier year, should count as enough.
Finally, you should also presume that a student for whom your institution has made a determination of homelessness continues to be independent in each subsequent year at your institution unless the student tells you their circumstances have changed or you have conflicting information. You should also consider documentation from an FAA at another institution that made a documented determination that a student was an unaccompanied homeless youth in the same or prior award year to be adequate documentation to make such a determination at your institution.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
If you had a homeless youth determination before, your answer to the homeless question carries over to later years. You can check the filled-in answer and fix it if needed before you submit.
Beginning with the 2024-25 FAFSA® form, applicants with an unaccompanied and homeless determination or unaccompanied, self-supporting, and at risk of homelessness youth determination will have their answer to the homeless question carried over to subsequent award years. For the 2025-26 FAFSA® form and all applications moving forward, applicants with a previous homeless youth determination will be provided the opportunity to review the pre-populated answer to the homeless question and make a correction, if necessary, prior to submitting their form as an independent student.Source: fsapartners.ed.gov
2026-27 aid year
The 2026-27 FAFSA asks: since July 1, 2025, were you unaccompanied and either homeless or paying your own way and at risk of being homeless?
At any time on or after July 1, 2025, was the student unaccompanied and either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?Source: studentaid.gov
2027-28 aid year
StudentAid.gov lists this 2027-28 question: at any point in 2026 or later, were you not living with a parent or guardian, and were you homeless or paying your own way and at risk of being homeless?
At any point in 2026 or later, were you not living with your parent or guardian, and were you either (1) homeless or (2) self-supporting and at risk of being homeless?Source: studentaid.gov
Pick your school to see the offices that help with housing, food, FAFSA homeless youth determinations and former foster youth.
Pick a school above to see its offices.
Places that serve youth and young adults, with the ages each one serves.
Choose your county to see youth shelters and drop-in centers.
Nothing you pick on this page is saved or sent anywhere.
Checked against the official pages in November 2026. Programs and phone lines change; confirm with the office before you go.
Want someone to talk to? Free counseling at your college and 24/7 crisis lines
Behind on rent or got court papers? Help for renters: eviction steps and free legal help by county