State and local educational agencies under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
McKinney-Vento Education Rights for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Children and youth experiencing homelessness have federal rights to immediate school enrollment, school stability, full participation, and support through a local homeless-education liaison even when ordinary enrollment documents are unavailable.
Child or youth experiencing homelessnessUnaccompanied homeless youthParent or caregiver seeking school access for an eligible student
Entitlement facts
Benefit type
Government benefit. A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route. Taxonomy definition →
What it unlocks
Immediate enrollment and attendance, a best-interest decision about staying in the school of origin or enrolling locally, transportation to the school of origin when required, comparable school services, help obtaining records, and a written dispute and appeal process.
Who qualifies
Child or youth experiencing homelessness; Unaccompanied homeless youth; Parent or caregiver seeking school access for an eligible student
Requirements
The child or youth must meet the McKinney-Vento definition based on lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Coverage can include sharing housing because of loss or hardship, shelters, motels, cars, public spaces, and unaccompanied youth situations; the local liaison determines eligibility and disputes can be appealed.
How to activate
Ask the school district for its local homeless-education liaison, explain the current living situation, request immediate enrollment or school-of-origin support, and use the written dispute process if eligibility, school selection, enrollment, or transportation is denied.
Cost basis
No-cost access. The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.
Cost and fees
The protected public education, liaison help, and required transportation are free. The law does not pay every housing, travel, child-care, clothing, or personal expense, though the liaison can connect families to other supports.
Geography
US, Public school districts and covered charter schools
Personalization
Published eligibility is not described as individually targeted.
EVIDENCE / 1 SOURCE
Eligibility is conditional, not guaranteed.
Check the provider's final terms immediately before applying, depositing funds, spending, or changing a paid relationship.
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Condition
Variable by provider or eligibility
Personalized
No
002Verified
SU
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration · Government benefit
Free, confidential crisis support by call, text, or chat for people in suicidal, mental-health, or substance-use crisis and for people worried about someone else.
Condition
No-cost access
Personalized
No
003Verified
CI
City of Albuquerque Transit Department · Government benefit