Homeless College Student:Living A Double Life

Lisa Monge

Professor Ogden
English 1A T/TR CRN:30452
April 27, 2016

This research paper discusses the how the number of homeless college students is rising and
colleges and communities need to provide programs to help these students. When we picture a
homeless person we picture the stereotype of the jobless, lazy person begging for money on the
corner of the street. But the difference between a homeless college students is they blend in with
their classmates wearing T-shirts and jeans. These students are living a double life by being a
college student by day and by night a homeless person searching for shelter. Throughout this
paper it will be discussing the causes and effects being a homeless college student, an interview
of a homeless college student and what he went through being homeless and the challenges that
homeless students face students. After examining the problems in the discourse community, the
solution to helping homeless student is provide more programs such as on campus and off
campus resources which helps provide housing for homeless students. Also creating programs
like National Center for Homeless Education which helps students receive resources such as
food pantries, subsidized childcare services, help lines, scholarship funds, transitional housing or
mental health services. By helping these college students not only are we providing shelter for
them but by providing shelter it helps lower the dropout rate which helps them finish college and
overcome being homeless.

Outline
Thesis Statement: Every college should have programs which provide housing for these
students, so they dont have to worry about finding a place to stay. But as of right now colleges
dont have as many programs to help these students, which results in challenges that these
students face.
Intro: Profile a homeless student and what they face, how they go through their day with
what's on their mind is to find shelter.
I.

Problems homeless students face

A. Not having a place to live
B. Financial struggles
C. Stress/Health
D. Daily life of a homeless college students
Thesis: While reasons for being homeless are different for everyone since every
situation is unique, researchers have identified three main reasons for homelessness
among college students,
II.

Solutions/ causes
A. NAEHCY
B. College programs for housing
C. Scholarships
D. Reasons why these students are homeless
Thesis: According to the National Law Center On Homelessness and
Poverty Since homeless college students don't have an appropriate studying and
resting environment and lack basic school supplies, approximately 50 percent of

the homeless population report dropping out of school during the course of their
education ( purpose of going to college)
Solution: Programs that have been created to help these programs
A. College resources
B. Local community resources
C. Programs
Thesis:Researchers have found three main reasons for why these students
may be homeless but everyone's situation is different. Being a homeless college
students also results in problems when trying to receive a higher education.
III.

Conclusion
A.Recap on problems and solution
B. Answer the so what statement
C. Students dont choose to be homeless

It's cold and windy night and you're trying to find any source of light to finish homework
that was assigned. After finishing the homework, you must find shelter to spend the night.
Waking up in the morning you must pack up everything you own and go on with your day.
Whats constantly on your mind is finding a place to stay when the day is over, debating whether
which friends couches you will crash on or find rest in shelters or on the street. In the meantime
you're attending college, blending in with other students hoping nobody finds out that you are
homeless. While attending school you strive to do your best hoping that the dark days living on
the streets will be over, trying to overcome all the struggles that being homeless created. Your
dream: having a successful career with the degree you earned from college -- and a paycheck that
can get you off the streets.
While walking on a college campus these students blend in well with their peers.
According to Amy Donley an assistant professor of sociology states that, Homeless students
blend in well with other college students, they're all wearing jeans and T-shirts, (Donley) Unlike
the typical stereotype of a homeless person which is considered to be jobless, lazy person
begging for change on the corner of the street, wearing old worn out clothes. Over one million
young students are facing homelessness, many of these students do not have an adult figure or
someone to give them guidance when they are considering to pursue a higher education. These
students look like a typical college student they are indistinguishable from their fellow
classmates. It's hard to know exactly how many college students are homeless, but an estimate
from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the National Association for the
Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) suggests that there are about 58,000
homeless students on college campuses in the United States. The number of homeless youth is
much higher but many students keep their homelessness a secrete. Many of these students have a

dream to attend college but they have a lack of support, which makes it difficult to make their
dream into a reality. Homeless youth face a number of barriers when it comes to achieving their
academic dream.
While homeless students have many obstacles to overcome in order to achieve their
academic goal, in a interview done by Huffington Post, interview a homeless youth named Sean
McLean and his experience being a homeless college student. In order to get out, and not having
to worry about their living situation, the way out of poverty is education and they are committed
to doing whatever it is they need to do to get there. In the interview, McLean also views college
as his ticket to a stable life. I dont want to be a millionaire, he said. I want to be known as the
person who never made his family stress about having money.(McLean). McLean see college as
an opportunity to change his life, and allow his family to not worry about financial problems.
Homeless students see college as a start of a new life but are embarrassed of their living
situation, whether they are sleeping in libraries or inside their cars they keep that part of their
lives private. Meanwhile , McLean keeps his living situation hidden from his school friends and
professors. He has to catch a bus home by 6:30 p.m. every day, creating problems which makes it
hard for him to make plans with friends, attend on-campus events, or even meet his classmates
to work on group projects. The shelters 10 p.m. curfew adds another barrier to socializing. But
McLean states that hes most responsible for isolating himself. I dont want to be around
people, he said, If for any reason because eventually Im going to have to tell them whats
going on. I dont know where I get it from, but I do have a lot of pride. He also states that,
Who wants to walk around telling people theyre homeless? he asked. I will probably take it
to the grave with me. These students didnt choose to be homeless, but situations in their lives
created barriers for them, which caused them to be homeless. Students who are homeless use

their living situation as motivation for them to work hard in school and get good grades so they
can overcome being homeless. These students choose not to tell anyone about their living
situation since Theyre embarrassed, theyre afraid and they dont want people to look at them
like theyre waiting for the free handout.(McLean) These students rather not tell their fellow
classmates their living situations since they dont want to be treated different, expecting things to
be given to them, even though they didnt choose to be homeless.
While reasons for being homeless are different for everyone since every situation is
unique, researchers have identified three main reasons for why homelessness occurs among
college students. Affordable college online written by Amy Dunning wrote an article Why are so
many students facing Homelessness states reasons why these students may be homeless. When a
family member loses a job, it results in financial problems , which can cause in losing their
home, which makes both the family and college student homeless. Dunning states that A 2012
report by the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation reported 20 percent of unemployed homeless
parents had lost their jobs within the last six months, nearly three times the percentage reported
in 2003. In today's economy many family members are losing jobs at a higher rate than before.
Attending college is expensive, and qualifying for financial aid may not be enough to cover all
expenses. According to Dunning she states that Among all homeless parents in the nation, 40
percent reported leaving their last home because they could not afford to pay rent. These
students and their families are facing homelessness due to rent increasing throughout the years.
Many homeless youth have family or parental conflicts which forced them to be in unstable
situations, which cause them to leave those situation which results in them being homeless.
Dunning states in her article that Overall, 41 percent of youth said they left home due to bad
parental relations, while only seven percent of parents reported the same. Having bad

relationship with their parents causes these students to leave and avoid conflict with their family.
Overall there are many reason for why students become homeless, researchers have discovered
that these are the three main reason why students leave, family lost home, unemployment losing
a job, and family problems.
Many of these students face even more challenges that being homeless creates, each of
these students come from different discourse communities, or as John Swales defines it groups
that have goals or purposes, and use communication to achieve these goals. An article written in
Pegasus Magazine Invisible Struggles states that Determined to improve their lives through
higher education, they slept in cars or shelters, camped in the woods, couch surfed or sought
shelter in darkened campus buildings. Being homeless causes these students to find shelter in
any place, but they are determined to get a higher education to have a better life. Walking around
campus you would never believe that one of your classmates would live somewhere in the
building. Duffield states that A very large subset of youth have been kicked out [of their
homes], says Barbara Duffield, director of policy and programs for the National Association for
the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY). They have no relationship with
their parents and cant get the information [they need] to apply for financial aid.Homeless
college students when applying for financial aid, they cant put the information needed to apply,
which results in delay for their FAFSA money. Not only does being homeless cause financial and
living situation problems but it also causes theses college students to drop out of school.
According to the National Law Center On Homelessness and Poverty Since homeless college
students don't have an appropriate studying and resting environment and lack basic school
supplies, approximately 50 percent of the homeless population report dropping out of school
during the course of their education . Going to college you are trying are pursuing a higher

education, but being homeless causes problems which results in these students dropping out of
school.
As the number of homeless students increase, Online college states that, However, Safe
Horizons estimates that more than 1.7 million youth experience some degree of homelessness
each year. More than 50,000 young people will live on the streets for over six months, according
to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Not only do these students struggle to find
shelter and are trying to receive a higher education, there are ways we can help these students
overcome homelessness. Homeless college students can not only finding help from local
community centers, but colleges also provide programs to help these students succeed, Online
college states that Many college campuses provide a variety of resources related to homeless
college student housing needs. The Office of Residence Life at many schools can assist students
in securing a year-round dormitory room if those are offered at the college. Conversely, the offcampus support office often has a comprehensive list of local support services or affordable
housing options near the school. More colleges need to provide more programs to help these
students afford housing. By these students having a place to stay they can focus more on their
education.Not only do colleges offer programs for these students but, of campus centers and
shelter offer help, In addition to local homeless resource centers and shelters, many students
may find they are able to stay with new friends theyve made at college, or with extended family
members. Local youth and family services often provide alternative housing, as do nonprofits
focused on serving homeless youth. Not only do colleges offer programs to help these students
but also can receive help from local community centers offer housing for these students.
There are organizations out there to help these homeless college students become
successful in college and to help relieve them from this stress. One organization that helps these

students is the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
(NAEHCY), which is a national membership association dedicated to educational excellence
for children and youth experiencing homelessness. Through state and federal policy and
technical assistance to our members, students, and the public, we change systems so all children
and youth can learn, succeed academically, and achieve their dream. Not only does this
organization help encourage these student to achieve their dreams but also this organization help
by awarding scholarships to these students. This organization also helps raise awareness to the
administrators about how the financial aid these students receive is not enough money. In order
to help create a solution for these students who are homeless, more organizations like the
NAEHCY, need to be in each college,to help these students receive the help they need. Some
colleges are beginning to start their own programs like NAEHCY in order to help their students.
For example, at UCLA if a student is affected by an economic crisis, the Economic Crisis
Response Team will take measures to help a student stay in school. The team provides help in the
form of meal vouchers, scholarship information and emergency financial aid assistance. If every
college starts programs like this, not only would it take stress off these students, but it will also
help the stay in school knowing that someone cares, about them. Which in the end in their studies
they would become successful in their studies.
Many of these students eventually overcome being homeless because they have
motivation to overcome their struggles, but some students are not able overcome these problem
which results in them dropping out. In addition, these students do not choose to be homeless, but
problems that occurred in their life resulted in them being homeless. In an article written by The
New York Times, talks about a teen who started her first semester of college and three months
into the semester she found herself without a place to stay, Brooke Evans was only 19 years old.

She found herself look anyplace for shelter, She slept in libraries, bathrooms and her car. She
sold plasma and skipped meals. It was hard to focus or participate in class, and when her grades
fell, her financial aid did, too. Eventually, she left college and began sleeping on the street, in
debt, without a degree. (New York Times) When qualifying for financial aid not enough money
is provide to support the students, which results in these students to be in even more debt. Evans
states that,Without a home and without meals, I felt like an impostor, Ms. Evans told us. I was
shamefully worrying about food, and shamefully staring at the clock to make it out of class in
time to get in line for the local shelter when I should have been giving my undivided attention to
the lecturer.(New York Times) By not having enough money to support herself, it resulted in her
to drop out of college and live on the streets, but if she achieved a college degree she would have
had enough money to support herself. By not helping these students more will be on the streets,
without a place to stay and without addressing this problem the number of homeless students will
increase. If we do not help theses students the dropout rate will continue to increase, which
results in these students to find any way to support themselves. Which can result in these
students being involved in gangs or be involved in a life of crime. Overall, college is supposed to
be a great experience, but instead students are constantly worrying about problems that have
occurred in their lives which caused them to be homeless. By providing programs to help them
more students will stay in school instead of dropping out.

Work Cited
BENVENISTE, ALEXIS. "Approximately 58,000 College Students Are Homeless." AOL.com.
N.p., 24 July 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
College, Lexy Gross. "College Campuses See Rise in Homeless Students." USA Today. Gannett,
21 Oct. 2013. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
"College Help for Homeless Students." Online College. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
Dunning, Amy. "Help for Homeless College Students | Affordable Colleges Online." Help for
Homeless College Students | Affordable Colleges Online. Affordable College Online,
n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
Fine, Victoria. "Homeless College Students On The Rise, Advocates Say." The Huffington Post.
The Huffington Post.com, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
Getting into College Itself Can Be a Major Challenge for Homeless Teens. And Even If They're
Determined. "Help for Homeless College Students." CNNMoney. Cable News Network,
n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
Goldrick-rab, Sara, and Katherine. "Hungry, Homeless and in College." The New York Times.
The New York Times, 03 Dec. 2015. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
"Homeless College Students Struggle to Continue Their Education." Pegasus Magazine. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
"Homeless College Students Seek Shelter During Break." CNNMoney. N.p., n.d. Web. 27
Apr. 2016.
"Home | The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth." Home |
The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth. N.p., n.d.
Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

""I Saw a Homeless Person"" What Is A Homeless Person? : I Saw a Homeless Person Story &
Experience. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016
Swales, John. ''The Concept of a Discourse Community. Feb 2016.PDF File.
"This Is What It's Like to Be Homeless in College | VICE | United States." VICE.
N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.

Annotated Bibliography
"Access to Higher Education For Students Experiencing Homelessness." The National
Center for Homeless Youth. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2016.
In this website it show different links to other websites that provide information on
homeless youth who are trying to receive a higher education. This students find many barriers
when trying to receive a higher education. It also mentions the problem with fafsa not being able
to complete the form without parents income information. Mentions how the cost reduction and
access act were pasted it brought more attention toward the homeless youth. These articles also
mention the understanding of what they are going through how sometimes attendance may be a
problem since they might not know which friends coaches they will be crashing on at night. By
not knowing where they will be staying at night provides problems since they do can not
estimate how long it would take for them to get to school. Homeless students can receive many
of these scholarships since they are considered at risk students since they fall below the poverty
line.
"Are You Labeled as an 'At Risk' Student." College Scholarships.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 27
Apr. 2016.
This article explains how when students receive scholarships they are mainly provided to
the athletes, when they receive athletic scholarships. But their are some programs which are B
dedicated to servicing the needs of particular student groups, such as women and minorities, and
students from low income households or disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarship
programs have been developed to motivate and support college aged students who may not
otherwise have the resources, or the increase, to pursue a college education.College-bound
students who are considered at risk, or from disadvantaged backgrounds, may find that there
are more scholarship opportunities dedicated to their situations. Not many students realize how
many scholarships they could receive due to their background.
Baca, Jimmy Santiago. A Place to Stand: The Making of a Poet. New York: Grove, 2001.
Print.
In Jimmy Santiago's book a place to stand he explains how at a young age he witnessed
his father in prison. He was abandoned by his parents and then placed in an orphanage. While
growing up he was convicted of a drug charge and was sentenced to prison. While being in
prison he found a love for poetry, which not only help him not return to a life of crime but also
helped other inmates not return to a life of crime. Baca mentions that he found poetry as a
resource and it help him to write about his past but it also helped him to accept his past in order
to improve his future. Baca grew up being placed in an orphanage and was placed in prison, but
he learned to overcome all that in order to not return to a life of crime. He was able to overcome
the identity that was set for him, but in the process was also able to encourage and motivate other
inmates to do the same.
BENVENISTE, ALEXIS. "Approximately 58,000 College Students Are Homeless."
AOL.com. N.p., 24 July 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.

In this article written by Benveniste, states that college students are becoming homeless
due to many different reasons, and cannot file for financial aid because they can't fill out the
parental income part on the application. Also talks about how the number of homeless students
are increasing and are attending college to improve their lives so they can overcome being
homeless. Also states that the number of homeless college students are 58,000, according fafsa
but only an estimate since many homeless students keep their living situation a secrete. Mentions
how they are trying to fix the application so that these students can file for financial aid without
having the parental income part. But sometimes when qualifying for financial aid the money that
is provide may not be enough for these students to live on which can result in them dropping out
of school. In order to fix this problem and have less homeless students drop out, universities are
starting programs to help these students in financial crisis. Some universities that have started
programs like this are college like UCLA.
College, Lexy Gross. "College Campuses See Rise in Homeless Students." USA Today.
Gannett, 21 Oct. 2013. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
This article provided statistics from fafsa estimates that there are 58,000 homeless college
students worldwide. According to the NAEHCY, many homeless students trying to go to college
don't receive enough financial aid because they can't provide information about their parents or
guardians on the form. Without being able to provide that information, it results in these students
to not be able to receive financial aid money. Not only is not enough money provided with
financial aid money, but not these students receive no money which results in them dropping out.
Several pieces of legislation have helped remove the barriers between homeless students and
financial aid, such as the recent Higher Education Act. Instead of the number of homeless college
students decreasing, its continuing to increase and we need to provide more ways to help them.
Ways we can help these homeless students are providing more programs on or off campus.
Programs off campus such as programs to local community centers and local shelters.
"College Help for Homeless Students." Online College. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Apr. 2016.
This article explains how homeless students may feel key there is no way they will be
able to attend college due to their living situation. Which in result means they are not able to earn
a degree. THis article provides may reason of support for them. They talk about different
programs that both campus and off campus offer. What programs local shelters and community
centers offer these students. Explains programs that all colleges provide to help them, like
housing that homeless students can receive. Also explains different programs and what these
programs can offer students who do want to revive a higher education. This article provides a
type of guide to help these students who are homeless to receive and type of assistance they need
to become successful in college in order to finish and earn a degree.

Davis, Dr.Sampson.et.al. The PAct:Three Young Men Make A Promise and Fulfil a
Dream.New York:Riverhead Books.2002. Print

In the book the pact it talks about three young boys who grew up poor in broken homes in
New Jersey who were surrounded by crime, drugs, death. They had an identity that was set for
them which was a life that would be involved in crime, and not attend college to improve their
lives. These boys agreed and made a pact to change the identity that was set for them and decide
to go to college and become doctors. These boys not only had support from each other but also
had support from counselors and teachers. Without the help the received they would have been
involved in a life of crime. There was times that they felt like giving up and quitting, but the
were encouraged and motivated to do better. These boys stuck with one another which made
their pact successful, now all three of them are doctors.
Dunning, Amy. "Help for Homeless College Students | Affordable Colleges Online." Help
for Homeless College Students | Affordable Colleges Online. Affordable College
Online, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
In this article, it explains reasons reasons why students are homeless are varied and
every situation is unique, researchers have identified three main reasons for homelessness among
potential college students.Parental job loss, lack of housing, parental and family conflict. Goes
into details in describing the three main reasons why these students may be homeless. Everyone's
situation is different on why they may be homeless, but researchers found three main reasons. In
this article in provide more information on how these students can receive help for their living
situation. Year round housing for college students so when holidays and breaks occur these
students have a place to stay instead of living on the streets. Mentions the different solutions
these students can go use to help improve both living situation and financial situation. Explains
how more students are becoming homeless and instead of the number of homeless students
decreasing the number is counting to increase.
Fine, Victoria. "Homeless College Students On The Rise, Advocates Say." The Huffington
Post. The Huffington Post.com, n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
This article provides Statistics and assistance aimed specifically at homeless college
students are scarce. Students, afraid of being stigmatized for their situation, often keep their
housing situation a secret. Surveys and statistics about homeless college students. Since
homeless college students dont have an appropriate studying and resting environment and lack
basic school supplies, approximately 50 percent of the homeless population report dropping out
of school during the course of their education, according to the National Law Center On
Homelessness and Poverty. In this article in this interview it talks about a man named Sean
McLean who was a homeless college student, and described his motivation to stay in school
instead of dropping out. He describes his living situation and how it was difficult to find shelter,
but he stuck through it because he found college as a ticket to a better life. Explained how being
a college student he wasn't able to be social with his fellow classmates since the shelter had a
certain curfew time. He didnt want to tell his classmates that he was homeless, because he felt
like it was a free handout, and didnt want that.
Finley, Ron.Ted Talk A Guerilla gardener in South Central La Ted talk Video.Ted.org.
Feb2013.

In this ted talk he explains how in south central there's a lot of vacant lot. In order to fill those
vacant lot he decided to plant a local garden for the local residents. He noticed that there was
many fast food places and instead of children eating vegetables they were eating fast food.
Instead of having empty lots he wanted to place gardens in their to make to community look
nicer. What he plans to do is plant a whole block of gardens where people can shared the food.
He want many of the local children to help plant in order to help them get off the streets and
experience the joy of gardening. By having children participate in gardens they are not out on the
streets associating with gangs.
Getting into College Itself Can Be a Major Challenge for Homeless Teens. And Even If
They're Determined. "Help for Homeless College Students." CNNMoney. Cable
News Network, n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
As the number of homeless college students continue to increase more programs are
being formed in order to help them. While being accepted into college itself can be a major
challenge for homeless teens. Being determined, resourceful or lucky enough to receive the
financial aid or scholarship money that makes attending college possible, new struggles often
come up for these students. While they may live in dorms for the majority of the school year,
some students have nowhere to go during breaks and are forced to pay fees to stay on campus,
which can be difficult for them to be able to afford. Not being able to afford these fees result in
these students living on the street until break is over.
Goldrick-rab, Sara, and Katherine. "Hungry, Homeless and in College." The New York
Times. The New York Times, 03 Dec. 2015. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
In this article it describe a homeless teen who just started college, and three months into
the semester she found herself homeless and living on the streets. THis article also described all
the different places where she had found shelter while she was attending school. She found
shelter inside libraries or on the street, and eve sleeping in shelters. While attending school she
was constantly hunger which didnt let her focus during lectures in her classes. Overall she
wasnt able to finish the semester and with that she withdrew from college and is not living on
the streets and in debt. When she was interviewed she stated how she constantly felt
embarrassed, about being hungry all the time. She constantly had to make sure she was on time
on for the shelter which made it difficult to attend her classes. If colleges do not help these
students it results in these students dropping out. Which is when college complain about the
dropout rate being high and these college are not helping these students.
hooks, bell. Where we Stand:Class Matters.New York:Routledge,2000.Print
In bell hooks where we stand class matters she discusses her personal and professional
journey in a society that is plagued by classism, racism and sexism. Bell was born and raised in a
segregated black community in a small town in Kentucky. Although race was discussed rather
overtly, the subject of class was never broached. Bell's parents were hard-working people who
had nothing left, after providing the basic essentials for their seven children. Bell and her siblings
would hope of basic essentials like clothes and toys, but they knew that they could not have
them. The scars from unanswered dreams and shattered hopes provide a tough lesson for a child
and, as Bell can testify, one that stays for years.

"Home | The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth."
Home | The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Feb. 2016.
In this official website of the The National Association for the Education of Homeless
Children and Youth. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth
(NAEHCY) is a national membership association dedicated to educational excellence for
children and youth experiencing homelessness. Change systems so all children and youth can
learn, succeed academically, and achieve their dreams. Offers information and statistics about
homeless college students. Offers scholarships for these homeless students. Aldo offers programs
for these students such as shelter to help make sure these students do not drop out of college and
achieve their dream. This website also offers help for these students, they log onto the website
and find resources to help them overcome being homeless.
"Homeless College Students Struggle to Continue Their Education." Pegasus Magazine.
N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016.
This article provide a description about what struggles homeless college students go
through. How these students blend in with other college students by dressing the same way they
do. How they search for any place with shelter. Homelessness can strike college students at any
time and for a variety of reasons: Financial aid is delayed, they make a bad decision or their
parent gets sick which can result in job loss. With a family member loses a job financial the
family struggles which can result in both the family to become homeless. Some resources these
students can use when they are struggling is to use campus resources such as Student Care
Services (SCS). Which can helps students in distress respond to challenges from homelessness
and hazing to mental illness and domestic violence. By having these services it can help relieve
some stress of these students, which helps them stay in college instead of dropping out.
"Homeless College Students Seek Shelter During Break." CNNMoney. N.p., n.d. Web. 27
Apr. 2016.
During college these students have a place to stay but when breaks arrive these students
have no place to stay and are left out on the street. This article mentions a student named Jesse
McCormick, a senior at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Mich., who had been homeless since
running away right before her senior year of high school. Financial aid covers about 85% of her
tuition and housing, and jobs that pay minimum wage, like helping out at the bookstore and
setting up special events, pay for the rest. But working and financial aid didnt help when the
holiday breaks arrived. In order to stay in her dorm she had to pay a fee when the campus was
open. But when christmas break arrived the entire campus was closed and the dorms weren't
open so she was left without a place to stay. By not having a place to stay she was forced to find
shelter anywhere she can find which resulted in her sleeping in the streets. Colleegs need to
provide so time solution to fix this.

""I Saw a Homeless Person"" What Is A Homeless Person? : I Saw a Homeless Person
Story & Experience. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Mar. 2016

This article provides a description of what a homeless person looks like to them.
Stereotypes about how a certain way homeless people should look. Reasons why homeless
college students blend in so well with their classmates since they dress in tee shirts and jeans just
like them. Typical when you think of a homeless person you think of someone who is begging
for money off the streets, but instead these students are attending college trying to receive a
higher education.Also states experiences of when they found out on of their classmates were
homeless, how they did not expect those students to be homeless. They looked just like their
classmates, blending in so well. While attending college you would be surprised on how many
students may be homeless. But what makes it difficult is when schools are not providing help for
these students. These students struggle, and when struggling these students find that it is easier to
just drop out instead of earning a degree that they dreamed of.
Pipher, Mary. Writing to Change the World. New York:Riverhead Books,
2006.Print
In this book Pipher explains the purpose of a voice and hs explains how important it is to
express your voice. In Order to express he considered a form of practice which is considered to
be freewriting. By freewriting daily it help you to be able to be comfortable in a writing style that
is yours. If you choose to become a writer, it help to express an idea that care for. Like Pipher
says if you do not write about the topic nobody will. Also in the book she explains that a writer
needs to be bold and honest, while looking for your own unique observations and writing about
them. She help show how you came to an idea and are able to come to a conclusion and make it
more compelling. Pipher mentions how we observe the world inside and out and we are trying to
change it. By becoming aware of who we are and how we affect and how we are affected by the
people around us.
Swales, John. ''The Concept of a Discourse Community. Feb 2016.PDF File.
Swales in this article defines and states his definitions about discourse community. A
discourse community is a group of people who share a set of discourses, understood as basic
values and assumptions, and ways of communicating about those goals. John Swales defined
discourse community as "groups that have goals or purposes, and use communication to achieve
these goals." A discourse can be a group of people who can motivate you and encourage you to
strive to do better. When you feel like giving up you have people that have your back to
encourage you to stick with the goal you have placed for yourself. Either you can be apart of a
good discourse community or you can be a part of t h e bad one. But you can overcome your
born discourse community by surrounding yourself with a better discourse community that
motivates you to do better.
"This Is What It's Like to Be Homeless in College | VICE | United States." VICE.
N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2016.
In this article it states the experiences of different homeless college students. The
struggles they go through on a daily bases. It explain one student's experience on how he was out
with a group of friends and they were discussing how lazy homeless people are. But little did
they know that one of the friends was homeless. They complained to him how he always leaves

early,but little did they know that the shelter has a 10 pm curfew. Also this article explains how
the number of homeless college students is continuing to rise. Also states the estimated number
of homeless students which is 58,000, but only an estimate since many students keep their living
situation a secrete. This article explain a homeless student's experience while attending college.
He explains how he lives in a dorm and paying for the dorm only leaves about 5 dollars for daily
essentials. But some students are not lucky to live in dorms, the live inside car, libraries, and
inside buildings. This article also explains how it's hard to keep the secret of being homeless
from fellow classmates.