LGBT Resource Center & Financial Aid Partnership University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

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1 LGBT Resource Center & Financial Aid Partnership University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of FINANCIAL AID, STUDENT EMPLOYMENT AND MILITARY EDUCATION BENEFITS

2 Jennifer Murray Director, LGBT Resource Center University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Casey Calhoun Graduate Assistant Advisor, Financial Aid Department University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

3 ProjectQ Presentation Youth development program that provides support, programming and resources to and with LGBTQ youth and their straight allies, ages Sparked a desire and need for increased training & awareness in our own staff

4 We want to share! Ultimately, increased awareness can lead to: More informed advisors More comfortable students Better services provided Overview Agenda LGBT+ basics Financial Aid as it relates to LGBT+ identities Scenarios & Discussion/Q&A

5 Behavior Identity Orientation Borrowed from: Dr. David Seal, Dr. Gary Hollander, Warren Scherer MCW MSM population study

6 Pronoun Identity Expression Developed by: Warren Scherer & Jay Botsford

7 Based on Sexual BIO and Gender PIE Phone etiquette Triggers Forms Self-Disclosure

8 Defense of Marriage Act Prohibited recognition outside this definition: "the word 'marriage' means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word 'spouse' refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife." In United States v. Windsor (2013), the Supreme Court held that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional because it violates the principles of due process and equal protection.

9 Place of Celebration Rule For both a student and to the parents of a dependent student. Even for an institution located in a state that does not recognize same-sex marriage Relevant to all questions concerning marriage and marital status on the FAFSA.

10 Parents might: Use money/fafsa information as a manipulator Disown children & refuse to provide information Kick student out of home In 2009, 23% of homeless youth surveyed in Milwaukee identified as LGBT Nationally, 20-40% of all homeless youth identify as LGBT LGBT Homeless Youth: Results of a 2009 Pilot Study of Seven Milwaukee Agencies (2009). Center for Urban Initiatives and Research University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee.

11 Homelessness and Dependency Overrides We ask for circumstances and letters of support Grades drop due to stress Now in for a SAP and we are asking for documentation What does this mean for the student? Forced self disclosure to advisor May have struggled through situation alone, now left without any documentation Explaining situation once can be difficult, writing it out and gathering documentation can be even more difficult

12 Name Change FAFSA Student Information System Phone call etiquette Cost of New Documentation Driver s License Birth Certificate Social Security Card Other items to consider: Selective Service Registration Athletes & Scholarships The Cost of Transitioning & Paying for School

13 Increase Awareness & Knowledge Have Compassion Review your office created documents for non-inclusive language or presumptions Empathize rather than sympathize Bottom Line: Remember a student is a whole person

14 Ally Development Ally development is a ongoing process There are times when people fail to provide active support and times when people succeed in providing active support

15 Duke University Study on Failed/Active Support and Allyhood Prevent Allyhood Silence Not confronting homophobia/transphobia (jokes, comments) Fear of negative response Own phobias Uncomfortable with LGBT+ identities yourself Fear of being labeled LGBT+ Lack of general knowledge

16 Duke University Study on Failed/Active Support and Allyhood Promote Allyhood Provide an inclusive environment Speak out; be politically active Coming out publicly in support of LGBT+ people Social/religious/other organizations Speaking out in other areas of membership Intervention Confront homophobia, demeaning remarks, language Personal education Supporting LGBT people When coming out, dealing w/ family or relationship issues Attend activities/events

17 Maria calls into the Financial Aid office. Maria is a returning sophomore student and is calling because they need help filing out FAFSA and receiving additional financial aid to return to school. Maria stays on their own and stated they do not have any relationship with their parents and they are unable to receive information. Tracy is a current undergraduate student athlete who began college with a full ride scholarship. Tracy is currently transitioning FTM and using hormonal replacement therapy. Tracy is required to take one year off from playing sports during his transition and he plans to return to play on the men s team. He will still be attending the university as a student during his year off from athletics. He wants to know how this will affect his scholarship funding since he was initially funded because he played sports.

18 Sam comes into the Financial Aid saying zie needs to speak with someone about maximizing zir financial aid. You state you can assist zir with this and you investigate their situation further. Sam has funded zir education through grants and paying out of pocket. Sam is transitioning and planning to pay for surgical procedures. Sam is looking to maximize their funding for school so zie can afford both. (Student looking for additional aid, scholarship resources) Major is a student who recently moved from out of state to attend UWM. Major is 22 and married. However Major s marriage is not recognized in the state of Wisconsin.

19 A student calls the Financial Aid office asking about scholarships for individuals for LGBT+ identified individuals. What information can you tell them? If you don t know of any, how can you find out? Among the rules to be independent (not use parents info on FAFSA) there is an age limit (24). Another way to be independent is to be married. What happens for a 21 year old student who is married, but the marriage is not recognized by the state of WI.

20 An 18 year old student who has been disowned by parents (homeless or not) and has no means of getting financial information (or parents with hold it) All male students must be registered for selective service to receive federal aid. What if a student is biologically male but identifies as female? When we call students back for appointments, we use the name on PAWS. What happens when the student doesn't go by that name anymore?

21 What may be some barriers for students who identify within the LGBT+ in receiving services from financial aid? What do you believe are the experiences of LGBT+ persons when interacting with financial aid office? How many students do you serve identify as LGBT+ or how many do these situations like homelessness, being disowned, income loss, loss of insurance by parents apply?

22 Human Rights Campaign Scholarship Database FinAid LGBT+ Scholarships Point Foundation

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24 Thank You!!!