FL H1067

Expands the role of campus liaisons at school district programs, Florida College System institutions, and state universities to provide specific on-campus support to tuition-exempt foster care and homeless students, including assistance with financial aid applications, tailored academic advising, and referrals to support services

Requires the Department of Education and Board of Governors, in consultation with the State Office on Homelessness, to develop best practices and training materials for identifying students experiencing or at risk of homelessness, which must be distributed annually to all employees and students

Requires Florida College System institutions and state universities to develop plans for prioritizing students experiencing or at risk of homelessness in residence halls and dormitories, and to give first priority to tuition-exempt foster youth for institution-operated housing, year-round housing, and work-study opportunities

Creates the Fostering Independence Grant Program within the Department of Education to cover up to 100% of unmet estimated annual cost of attendance for eligible former foster youth and homeless students enrolled in at least 9 credit hours per semester, subject to legislative appropriation and after all other federal, state, and institutional financial aid has been applied

Requires the Department of Education to contract with a nonprofit entity experienced in supporting homeless and foster youth to provide technical assistance to institutions, and requires institutions to annually report retention and graduation rates of grant recipients as a distinct group