Hi. I’m a current senior applying to colleges but life just happened and my mom and I just got evicted out of our apartment. We’re homeless at the moment, though I’m staying at a friends house while we get our financials situated. I already applied to a few colleges (KSU/UGA) and I was planning on EDing to Columbia but I’m going to have to RD with everything going on. What are the next steps? Do I keep the same address for my common app and schools I apply to? I’m also in the process for Gates Scholarship semifinalist and the CSS profile is due in a few days but I don’t think I can get the non-custodial form signed with letters in time. Could I ask for an extension? I’m still in shock honestly, I feel like college just isn’t an option for me anymore and I should quit school to work and further help out my mom but I still really want to try.
I’m sorry you are experiencing homelessness.
Talk with your HS counselor ASAP. You may qualify as an independent student under the McKinney-Vento act. Then, you don’t need an NCP form for CSS profile, ask your HS counselor for help.
https://nche.ed.gov/legislation/mckinney-vento/
Homelessness is one of the criteria resulting in independent status for students on FAFSA, see here:
https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency
In addition to this terrific advice, see if your HS counselor or principal can get you and your mom connected to a social worker in your town/area ASAP. It’s important for your mom to understand what her options are for emergency food, housing, health, transportation assistance… Hugs to you.
You may also want to determine whether there is a “permanent” address that you can use for all of your documents. This could be a reliable friend or a PO box.
I am so sorry you are in this situation. I hope you and your mom quickly find new housing.
Great advice from all. Please talk to your guidance counselor at school immediately. Tomorrow. Make sure he or she is aware of your situation and to keep all relevant documents pertaining to your college applications. You might need to access them next year. Ask to make sure your teacher recs will be retained. Get sealed copies of your high school transcripts at the end of this school year, in case you end up submitting them next year.
Please read this: https://nche.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/ehcy_profile.pdf
Also, college isn’t going anywhere. It’s possible you will need time to get back on your feet before you apply to college. Maybe you will have to have to work or do something else meaningful in the next year. You will still be considered a first year applicant. It seems that you are a competitive student if you are applying ED to Columbia. You might be eligible for full rides at some good universities. Keep your grades up as much as possible. They are probably the single most important component of your college application. Best of luck to you.
I would advise you to not even consider working for a year and delaying college. College is your ticket out of poverty and instability, plus you’ll have housing in the dorms. Ask if you can use your friend’s address, and file a forwarding with the post office. Ask your school counselor for help with qualifying as independent for FAFSA and CSS. If you want Columbia, yes, do apply ED, because they’ll surely give you a full ride, and then you can apply RD to the rest if you need to. I assume that you got a fee waiver for the Common App?
Do not step off the track. Right now you have a guidance counselor and a current academic record. Taking time off to work a low pay job is not a good idea.
First and foremost, I am so sorry you are experiencing homelessness. Being a teenager applying to college is a big stressor already. I can’t imagine doing it without your feet firmly on the ground.
Second, I agree that your best path forward is FORWARD. Don’t delay college. It is truly the path out of uncertainty. Also, don’t ignore expensive private schools— often they meet need 100% (in contrast to public universities). Ask for an hour timeslot with your high school college counselor and come up with a list of schools that meet need. Apply to those.
Third, stay where you are until your Mom really is settled— housed, employed, all of it. Do your part around the house you’re in— dishes, laundry, anything you can. Show them you appreciate what they’re doing for you. This will go a long way towards making sure you are welcome to stay as long as you need to.
Lastly, I wish I could wrap my arms around you. Please keep us posted.
Hi Everyone! Wanted to update you guys and thank you so much for the love and support on my college applying journey, I ended up completing my financial aid as an independent, applied to Columbia ED, and got in yesterday!! I’m so happy- I haven’t looked at my financial package yet lol I’m pretty sure it’s a fullride but definitely will make sure! Thank you so much again!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Fantastic news!
Congratulations 
Wow, so very happy for you 
- what a relief, what pride it must be for you and your mom. 
YOU DID IT! I don’t even know you and I’m so incredibly proud of you!
Wonderful news! Great job persevering and best wishes for a wonderful college experience. Keep asking for help when you need it, especially from your new university. They may have other resources to help you through school that you might not know about if you don’t ask (such as travel funds, help over holiday breaks etc.)
I am so glad you came back to update us with such great news. You should be really proud of this accomplishment, and overcoming the challenges to stick the process out. Congratulations!
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