This handout accompanies the 12th Year Campaign Junior/Senior Student Workbook, which guides students through navigating college admissions and financial aid.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an estimated 4.2 million youth and young adults experienced homelessness on their own each year. The outbreak and resulting economic crisis have pushed more youth into homelessness, and at the same time, exacerbated the challenges of youth who were homeless prior to the outbreak. Yet higher education remains their best long-term opportunity for economic independence, health, stability, and well-being. Unaccompanied homeless youth face extraordinary challenges filling out the FAFSA.

High school seniors across Washington state can receive reminders about important college financial aid deadlines from a chatbot, called Otter.