Summary — H.246 (2025): Supports for students experiencing homelessness and students exiting foster care (Vermont)
Status and effective date
- Introduced: February 14, 2025.
- As introduced, the bill would take effect July 1, 2025.
Purpose
- Require Vermont postsecondary institutions to adopt targeted supports so students experiencing homelessness and students exiting the foster care system can access and complete postsecondary education.
Key provisions
- Student Liaison Officer
- Each postsecondary school operating in Vermont must designate a Student Liaison Officer for students experiencing homelessness and students exiting foster care.
- The Liaison must understand relevant federal and state financial aid rules (including eligibility of current and former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth to be treated as independent students under the Higher Education Act, 20 U.S.C. §1087vv), identify appropriate services, inform current and prospective students of available aid and assistance, and help students apply for and receive those benefits.
Class enrollment priority
- Boards of trustees (or equivalent governing bodies) must adopt and enforce a policy giving these students priority in class enrollment. Policies must address barriers such as work obligations or transportation so students can access needed courses.
Housing priority
- Boards must adopt and enforce a policy giving these students priority for existing on‑campus housing.
- To access on‑campus housing under the policy, students experiencing homelessness must be enrolled at least half‑time.
- Policies must include a plan to provide housing to these students during school breaks.
Fee waivers
- Boards must adopt and enforce a policy allowing waivers of registration fees and laboratory fees for students experiencing homelessness or exiting foster care.
Who is affected
- All postsecondary institutions operating in Vermont (public and private institutions that fall within the statutory definition of “postsecondary school”).
- Primary beneficiaries: students experiencing homelessness (including unaccompanied homeless youth) and students exiting the foster care system.
- Institutional offices affected: financial aid, housing, registrar/enrollment management, student services, and governing bodies (boards of trustees).
Potential impacts and implementation notes
- Administrative: institutions will need to designate liaisons, develop and adopt new policies, train staff, and implement procedures for prioritization and fee waivers.
- Operational: increased demand for prioritized course seats, on‑campus housing (including housing over breaks), and fee-waiver administration could require resource adjustments; the bill does not specify funding or enforcement penalties.
- Financial aid: the Liaison role is intended to improve access to federal/state aid by ensuring eligible students are informed and assisted with applications and independent student status determinations.
Limitations / gaps
- The bill mandates policy adoption and enforcement by governing bodies but does not specify enforcement mechanisms, reporting requirements, or dedicated funding for institutions to meet increased needs.
