Education

In many jurisdictions there are laws about education. One term used is "compulsory". This refers to the law that up to a certain age, a child/youth has to attend school. This can range, but is often between ages 15 and 17. There is sometimes a second age limit, up to which the education system must provide education. This is sometimes a little bit higher than the compulsory age. In many areas this age is 17. These laws usually apply even when parents hold immigrant status. Laws and rules around this vary depending on the area/country. More information on this could be found by calling your local board of education or a local high school. These phone numbers can often be found in the government section of the phone book.

Most schools will have an application that will need to be filled out to start. To find out more, call your local board of education or a local school. You can ask to meet someone to talk about how this works. Also, most youth services will have a staff member who knows how you can get back to school. You can ask to speak with someone about this. If need be, a youth worker can connect you with legal assistance if it seems your right to schooling is being unjustly denied.

Up to the end of high school there is usually no charge for schooling. There are other expenses though, such as money for supplies, clothes, and cost of living (rent, food) while going to school. For many other programs, such as colleges or other forms of training, there is a tuition fee. "Tuition" means that you would have to pay a fee to go to the school. Tuitions are often very expensive. There are ways of finding money to go to school. Here are a few ideas:

Loans: Many students obtain loans to help them go to school. Some of these loans come from the government and sometimes students get a bank loan. These loans often have low interest and don't have to be paid back until the student has finished school. The availability and types of loans range depending on the area/country. A good website with information about this in Canada is CanLearn. A good website with information about this in the United States is Students.gov.

Scholarships/Bursaries/Grants: Many regions also have grant/scholarship programs. The difference between this and a loan is that you don't have to pay them back. They are, however, often harder to get and have more rules about who can get them. There is information about this form of funding in the websites listed above. In Canada, see also Service Canada.

Income Assistance: Many income assistance programs, such as those for persons with disabilities, unemployment insurance, and welfare, will provide extra assistance to support people to go to school. Information about this can be obtained by talking with a representative from the income assistance program.

*Getting access to these grants and loans can often seem difficult and complicated to do on your own. Most youth services have people that know a lot about this. A good first step for most might be to find an expert at a youth service who can help you to find and fill out the right applications. It might take a bit of time to get the money, but it can make a big difference and give you a chance to get enough money to get a good place to live and support while going to school.

Usually, the first step for many youth is to finish high school. Getting a high school diploma is often required to move on to other types of training and college. There are several ways to approach getting a diploma:

Register at a local high school.

This may not work for some people due to age or other rules related to applying.

Alternative education programs:

Programs for street involved youth: Sometimes a good plan, especially if you have been out of school for a long time, is to start a little bit at a time. Some youth agencies have education programs and some regions provided courses and resources specifically for youth who are street involved and/or lack housing. To find out more about this, ask a staff member at a local agency or drop in.

Alternative schools: For some, going to a regular high school would not work for a number of reasons (examples: age, expulsion, mental health concerns, learning difficulties). Many such persons can go to an alternative school to get their diploma. Ask about these in your area. Here are a few examples in Canada: Argyle Alternatives High, Purple Thistle Centre, Dans La Rue and the United States: Inside Schools.

Academic Upgrading: Many college programs offer courses that allow you a chance to upgrade your skills in major areas (e.g., math, reading). These programs are sometimes free and can be a good first step to going to college. For an examples, see Seneca, Simon Fraser University.

There are thousands of schools, colleges and education programs. Here is a search engine that can help you look in your area: School Finder/. For high schools, look in your local phone book. Speaking with a youth worker about this is a good way to start since she/he will probably have a lot of information about requirements and how to find a good fit with your interests and needs.

In many countries, including Canada and the United States, you have a right to education even if you have a physical disability, mental health difficulties, or a learning disability. Most colleges and training programmes have what are called "accommodations" to help people with the above difficulties. Sometimes called "special needs" offices, these services will help with a lot of different things for those who need it (e.g., extra time to complete tests; assistance with learning materials; recording lectures). Ask about this if you need it. Some schools also provide daycare services. If you have a child and need this kind of support, ask about it. There may also be additional funding available in some jurisdictions for persons with disabilities (e.g., Assistance for Students with Disabilities in Canada).