Sample Letter on Homeless/Foster Higher Education Bills

SAMPLE LETTER ON HOMELESS/FOSTER HIGHER EDUCATION BILLS

TO U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

PREPARE ON ORGANIZATION LETTERHEAD IF POSSIBLE

The Honorable Firstname Lastname

U.S. House of Representatives

Washington DC 20515

Dear Representative Lastname:

I am writing to urge you to improve higher education opportunities for homeless and foster youth by signing on as a sponsor of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act, H.R. xxxx, and the Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017, H.R. xxxx.

[INSERT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR AGENCY OR PROGRAM(S), IF APPLICABLE]

Unaccompanied homeless youth and youth from foster care encounter many barriers to higher education. These vulnerable young people contend with histories of abuse, neglect, trauma, and frequent educational disruption caused by mobility. They struggle without parental care or other adult support, and frequently lack the basics that most of us take for granted, like shelter and food.

Higher education is their best hope for a better life. Amendments to the Higher Education Act in 2007 and 2008 helped increase access to financial aid and college readiness programs for both groups of young people. Since that time, much has been learned about the continuing and persistent barriers to higher education for homeless and foster youth, as well as strategies to increase their college retention and completion.

Two complementary bills address these barriers and provide new opportunities for success. The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017, H.R. xxxx, ensures that homeless and foster youth benefit from college access programs, have access to financial aid without burdensome and prohibitive documentation, and receive the support they need to stay in school and graduate. The Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017, H.R. xxxx, creates a new grant program to help ensure successful transitions to post-secondary education and to help ensure college completion via robust support services.

Please personalize and individualize by including state or local data; emphasizing a part of the legislation that will be especially beneficial; or providing a specific example of a challenge addressed by one or both of the bills. For example: “In Georgia, we are especially pleased that HEASHFY requires a plan to assist homeless and foster youth during breaks. Too many youth are forced to scramble for housing, just as final exams approach.”

For these reasons, I urge you to co-sponsor and support the passage of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2017, H.R. xxxx, and the Fostering Success in Higher Education Act of 2017, H.R. xxxx.

Thank you for your consideration, and for your leadership on this issue.

Sincerely,

YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION