McKinney-Vento Program

(Information for Homeless Students & Their Families)

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law guaranteeing all children and youth the right to an equal education, regardless of their living situation. Protection under the McKinney-Vento Act extends to those who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.

This definition includes students:

  • Sharing housing with friends, relatives, etc. due to the loss of housing, natural disaster, hardship, etc.

  • Living in a motel, trailer park, or campground due to the lack of alternative accommodations

  • Living somewhere not designed for human occupation

  • In shelters or substandard housing

  • In an above situation and not in the custody of an adult guardian

Those covered by the law have the right to:

  • Immediate enrollment, regardless of documentation, immunizations, etc.

  • Automatic eligibility for free/reduced lunch

  • Transportation to their school of origin (consistency in education)

  • Comparable education to all other students

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