Homelessness and the transition from high school to college

Close your eyes for a moment, and try to picture someone who is homeless. What comes to mind?

Many people have a specific image of what homelessness --which is defined by the federal government as "an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets...or any other unstable or non-permanent situation" -- might look like as a result of stereotypical representation in the media. The truth is, those struggling with homelessness or precarious housing situations come from all walks of life, and not among the least of those numbers are students. A study from The University of the Pacific found that students who are homeless or have an uncertain living situations tend to have lower grade point averages, have problems with truancy, and are less likely to graduate on time. In Michigan, programs such as the ones in Holland Public Schools have been forming across the state to aid in helping homeless K-12 students with the resources that they need to be successful in their studies, despite their housing situation. But what happens when these students graduate high school? College and all its related costs can seem daunting (if not overwhelmingly impossible) to a student who struggles to make ends meet.

That's where organizations like the HIGH Program step in. Here at Wayne State, the HIGH Program helps provide students who are homeless, precariously housed, and struggling financially with financial and related assistance so that their education doesn't need to be stopped after obtaining that high school diploma. To find out more about how you can help and to get more information for yourself or a student that you know, check out our website here!