Student Affairs

Housing Insecurity Assistance

To provide assistance to students experiencing homelessness, the State of Illinois Public Act 102-0083 requires each institution of higher education to designate at least one staff member to serve as a liaison to assist homeless students enrolled at the institution.

SIUE’s HOUSE Liaison: Dr. Mindy Dilley. Assistant Dean of Students | 618-650-2020 | medille@siue.edu | Rendleman Hall, 2306

 It is the HOUSE Liaison’s role to work with campus partners to offer assistance and resources to any homeless student or student in care enrolled at the institution. The liaison strives to:

• understand provisions pertaining to the financial aid eligibility of homeless students,
• identify services and resources that are available to and appropriate for a homeless student,
• act as an intermediary between a homeless student or student in care and the office of financial aid, student support services, campus housing services, and
• connect a homeless student or student in care to a local continuum of care program 

How to Initiate this Support

Make an appointment with the HOUSE Liaison. During this meeting, you and the liaison will:

1. Review what the Housing and Opportunities that are Useful for Students’ Excellence (HOUSE) law provides you as a student in Illinois.
2. Discuss if you should complete the Proof of Independent Status with the Office of Financial Aid.
3. Talk about getting on the local Continuum of Care for Madison County. Madison County Continuum of Care Program
4. Determine what additional services or resources you may need.
5. Please know that we value your privacy and comfort.  You will not be asked to share specific details about the events that lead to you unstable housing situation.  Also, the liaison will not share any information with other on-campus faculty or staff unless the student gives permission or the liaison is concerned that the student’s safety is at risk. 

Financial Aid & Resources 

Remember, the HOUSE liaison is here to assist you in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid. 

• • Proof of Independent Status – If you reported on your FAFSA either that you are an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or are an unaccompanied youth providing for your own living expenses who is at risk of being homeless, please complete and submit this form with the required documentation to the Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for financial aid.
  • Financial Aid for Foster Youth in Illinois - Youth who have experienced foster care can often cover all their costs for a college degree - tuition, fees, room, and board.  
  • Swift Student - Swift Student will help you write a financial aid appeal letter - for free.
  • Filing your Taxes – Get the simple steps to help you file your taxes for free and maximize your tax refund.
  • National Scholarships - The National Center for Homeless Education provide young people experiencing homelessness and people who support them with ready access to scholarship information.
  • Illinois Scholarships - Millions of scholarships are available to students studying in the United States. With the help of Scholarships.com, finding these scholarships is not a problem.
  • SchoolHouse Connection - The only national scholarship program specifically service youth that have experienced homelessness.

Other Resources:

Students that become homeless after enrolling in college often have no experience applying for and securing social services. Below you’ll find a list of the most basic and necessary resources available. 

• The Illinois Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) is now a one-stop form for determining if you would be eligible for assistance with insurance or food.
  • SNAP - The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to support low-income individuals to purchase healthy foods. Further details about the program, eligibility requirements and how to apply are given on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service website.
  • Medicaid and CHIP - Between Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), eligible, unaccompanied homeless youth can receive health insurance and medical attention once enrolled in the programs. The NAEHCY website offers a helpful information about eligibility requirements and how to sign up.
  • Health Coverage for Homeless and At-Risk Youth Homeless and at-risk youth are likely to be eligible for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (often referred to as the ACA). The ACA vastly simplifies and expands access to affordable health care, including for low-income and homeless youth, and allows states to expand eligibility for Medicaid, a health care program for low-income individuals
•  Madison County Housing Solutions - Madison County Community Development (MCCD) offers a variety of solutions to assist residents that include everything from rental assistance to ADA Housing Accessibility, Weatherization, Low-Income Energy Assistance Program and more.

Break On-Campus Housing

We will work to develop a plan that provides on-campus housing access during academic breaks for students experiencing homelessness or who are students-in-care and currently reside in University Housing.

Students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness, as verified through the SIUE Dean of Students Office, may be eligible for a break housing fee waiver for university recognized breaks (Fall Break, Winter Break, and Spring Break). Students who are uncertain about their eligibility or whose circumstances have recently changed are encouraged to contact the Dean of Students Office for verification and assistance. Cougar Village and Evergreen Hall are open during the break periods and students residing in these communities do not need to request break housing.