Supporting College Transition for Homeless Youth

Welcome to the Supporting College Transition for Homeless Youth course. This course prepares those who work with youth in K-12 systems to assist them to successfully transition into college. This course is appropriate for those who work at high schools as well as those who work in the community supporting students. The course provides a basic overview of the key elements of a successful strategy for supporting homeless youth as they pursue their educational goals. While much of the content is focused on California’s systems, some content is relevant more broadly.

This course consists of seven modules, each covering a different topic that will help interested stakeholders set students up for success as they transition from high school to the next phase of the educational journey. Some modules will include a quiz or activity to help you apply the knowledge discussed and set you up to be prepared to support homeless youth with the next steps after graduation. The modules include information about why college is important, how to create a college-going culture, the steps necessary to apply for college (including both community colleges and 4-year universities), the matriculation and enrollment processes, accessing financial aid (including special considerations for homeless students), and the resources available to support success. Additional resources are also available on the John Burton Advocates for Youth website.