Homelessness is defined as “Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” (McCoy-Roth, Mackintosh, and Murphey 1). In most cases, individuals do not stumble upon homelessness simply by choice (Meek, 1). It is an unfortunate event that is uncontrollable and unpreventable. Thousands of people are categorized as being homeless on a daily basis, and according to the U.S. Department of Education, “1,065,794 homeless kids were enrolled in schools in the 2010-2011 school year, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year and 57 percent since the start of the recession in 2007,” this does not include the 22 percent that composes infants, toddlers, and children that are not enrolled in school (Meek, 1). With this, students that are facing homelessness should be eligible to receive free college tuition if they attain a grade point average of a 3.0 or higher. As the nation faces a larger deficit over the years, America must thoroughly prepare the future leaders of the country how to handle such a grave responsibility. Homeless children are no less of a person than adequately sheltered children thus; they should be offered the same opportunities as others, worry-free. Youth that display such exceptional progress in education throughout such traumatic experiences deserve at least the opportunity to strive towards higher learning, along with a more promising future.

Challenges, such as that of being homeless, are a concept that most people cannot, and often refuse to comprehend. The common stereotype that is often placed upon homeless Americans usually refers to ‘the old man that stands on the side of the road, begging for change’. However, that is not always the scenario. The homeless consist of all races, types, and ages of people, including a vast majority of young children and teens. The lack of affordable housing as well as poverty, and unemployment are currently at an all-time high for many and there are no signs of it diminishing within the near future. A light needs to be shed upon these children, the ones taking refuge in dimly lit and often dangerous shelters, the ones constantly referred to as “The Future of America”, the ones that acquire dreams and goals that are slowly disintegrating. Is it fair for children to have to compromise their hopes of one day becoming a doctor or a scientist simply because they cannot afford to attend college?

Considered to be the “Future of America”, children that compose this generation face a large and demanding responsibility to keep this nation on a steady path. The Huffington Post reports that, “According to the new report, only 52 percent of homeless students who took standardized tests were deemed to be proficient in reading, and only 51 percent passed math tests,” (Knafo, Resmovits 1). This astounding fact truly displays that society today is placing the burden of leading a country in the fragile hands of uneducated youth. With the unemployment rate at astronomical heights, approximately 7.6 percent, more and more people are suffering immensely to make ends meet, thus forcing them into poverty (Damon, 1). A copious amount of these lost jobs are most commonly the result of employers’ education requirements. Although 88,000 new jobs were added in March, it does not merely compare to the more than 700,000 jobs that have been eliminated since 2008 (Damon, 1). If homeless children are not given the opportunity to continue on towards college degree, how will they know how to lead the country out of the escalating deficit and prevent the nation from corruption? The employment field, as of right now, is a querulous and inconsistent place to be. “To get back to the pre-recession unemployment rate in three years, we would need to add 320,000 jobs every single month—almost double our current rate,” (Damon, 2). Students need to be offered the chance to not only succeed in education, but also to break the barrier of limitations and poor judgment made by others. If they are able to attend college and receive a degree, they are more likely to seize better job opportunities along with a higher pay, relieving them from facing poverty yet again; this may create a stimulus effect, allowing for the economy to prosper. Furthermore, if homeless students are capable of overcoming hardships by keeping the necessary ambition in order to achieve success, they have rightfully earned the advantage of continuing on towards a higher education, a future that promises to refuse to let them fall in the cracks of homelessness again.
“While poverty alone creates health, developmental, behavioral, and educational problems for children, homelessness compounds these problems by adding additional stress, fear, anxiety, and instability to children’s lives,” (Meek, 1). Children in society constantly face the harsh words of others; school is a place to learn and grow, not somewhere to be judged, teased, or degraded. Being homeless is an unfortunate circumstance that is not always preventable. Families are thrust into a dangerous place that contains nothing but the unknown. Children are often left to fend for themselves and must quickly grasp the necessary skills for survival. The long term affects that result from these instances include depression, impulsiveness, as well as drug addiction (American Psychological Association, 2). With this, being homeless does not make anyone any less of a person. A teenager facing difficulty with permanent residence is no different than someone that has stability and never has to worry about losing the roof over their head. Sure, the learning capacity and comprehension of a student facing poverty may be altered slightly however, if the child is aware of the possible reward for their hard work and determination, they will feel more hopeful and their desire to achieve success is not a lost cause. How can the yearning for a higher education, the strive to go the extra mile, the persistence to never give up, be a burden among society?

The results of accepting a homeless student to a four-year university is not only a perk for the student, it benefits the school in numerous ways as well.
“After enrolling homeless folks as students, the college helps the homeless get as much federal aid from government loans, grants, and scholarships. The schools pay a small amount of money to each homeless student totaling about $2,000 for the academic year, and pockets the federal loans, grants, and aid money. In other words, the school pays out $2,000 and gets $20,000 in return,” (Kayo, 1).
Many people may argue that if homeless teens and children can barely focus on the minimum amount of education, how will they even begin to pursue a college degree? In all sincerity, it is very unfortunate that society today automatically gives youth that are undergoing harsh circumstances a title that indicates that they are nothing more than a ‘failure’ or ‘loser’; one without hope or a slight chance at a brighter future. “While they are experiencing homelessness, however, it is essential that children remain in school. School is one of the few stable, secure places in the lives of homeless children and youth; a place where they can acquire the skills needed to help them escape poverty,” (Nat’l Coalition). In fact, the only worry that these students would have would involve how they would pay tuition fees and where they would take residence when school is not in session. Sam Bracken was a high school student that played for his high school’s football team (1-2). Concerned that he would lose his starting position, he decided to keep his living situation a secret from administrators as well as friends. “During college break, I had to contend with the possibility of being homeless again and worry about where I would eat and sleep since the dorms and cafeteria were closed,” (Bracken, 1). Shifting gears, the chance to continue on towards a higher education should not be revoked simply because of a student’s background or financial circumstances. If the opportunity to award free college tuition for homeless students that acquire at least a 3.0 grade average arose, who is to say that it would result in failure? As the most dominant and influential country in the world, does the United States truly defend the rights of its citizens? Everyone needs to be given the opportunity to a higher education, regardless of his or her living situation. “Coupled with huge cuts in education budgets, spineless politicians who worry more about the NRA than they do about children, our homeless children are less and less likely to get any kind of education,” (Meek, 1). Students that face such difficulties cry out for simple words of kindness, encouragement, and for anyone that is willing to listen.

Homeless students should be given free college tuition if they attain a GPA of a 3.0 or higher. If this generation is not given the tools necessary to achieve higher education, the fate of the nation is in grave danger and only time will tell the outcome of such matters. Homelessness is not something to be ashamed of, but an experience that can be used as an eye-opener for many. Although, every day is a struggle for homeless youth, including myself, we sometimes need to be reminded that the light at the end of the tunnel only shines brighter and these difficulties are nothing more than mere bumps in the road.