Higher Education
In 2023 and 2025, the Movement championed bills to eliminate the overwhelming financial burdens youth experiencing homelessness face when pursuing higher education. As we know this is a heavy weight that’s been taken off the shoulders of other vulnerable youth populations, we want to ensure that students who have experienced homelessness are afforded the same opportunities.
In 2023, our bill, AB 217, stalled in committee and was never brought for a floor vote before the session ended. 2025 brought legislative wins with our bill, AB 397, passing unanimously through both the Assembly and Senate, but the bill was eventually vetoed by Nevada’s Govenor. Both bills would’ve waived tuition and mandatory fees for students with experiences of homelessness pursuing public higher education in our state.
Access to higher education is not just important in our mission to end youth homelessness, it’s transformative. Youth who attend higher education are more likely to break the cycle of poverty, opening doors to stable employment, helping them build stability and security, and creating a pathway to economic mobility. Knowing the generational impact tuition and fee waivers will make for this population, we are not giving up on this legislation. Read more about the importance of higher education in the fight to end youth homelessness below:
Why Are We Pursuing a Higher Education Bill?
- Providing free public higher education to youth experiencing homelessness is an essential step toward breaking the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Higher education is one of the most effective pathways out of poverty. By earning a degree, youth can access better job opportunities, higher wages, and long-term financial stability.
- Those with higher education are more likely to contribute positively to the economy. By investing in the education of youth experiencing homelessness, society benefits from a more skilled workforce, increased productivity, and higher tax revenues.
- Homelessness is expensive, with costs related to emergency services, healthcare, and social services. By supporting youth experiencing homelessness to obtain education and stable employment, these long-term public costs can be significantly reduced.