Secretarial support and guidance for homeless and foster youth

Part B of title I (20 U.S.C. 1011 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 124. Secretarial support and guidance for homeless and foster youth (a) Guidance Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026, the Secretary shall issue revised guidance for institutions and financial aid administrators regarding serving homeless youth (including unaccompanied homeless youth), students who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting, and foster care youth, including the requirements of the determination process for financial aid administrators as specified in section 479D. (b) Professional development Beginning not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026, the Secretary shall conduct an annual professional development or training program, such as a webinar, for liaisons described under section 485(n) and interested faculty or staff regarding postsecondary education services for such homeless youth (including unaccompanied homeless youth), students who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting, and foster care youth. (c) Report Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026, and not less than once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a report containing strategies used by institutions, financial aid administrators, and liaisons described under section 485(n) that were effective in meeting the needs of such homeless youth (including unaccompanied homeless youth), students who are unaccompanied, at risk of homelessness, and self-supporting, and foster care youth, including strategies relating to streamlining financial aid policies and procedures and postsecondary education recruitment, retention, and completion..