Students facing basic needs insecurities are significantly less likely to leave college without completing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Today’s students show a great deal of resilience in the face of adversity—but succeeding in an academic environment is extremely difficult without access to basic needs, like food and shelter. The federal government has various programs designed to provide a safety net for individuals and families.

However, today’s students often face a series of barriers to enrolling in and receiving means-tested benefits, like work requirements or specific exemptions that prevent college students from enrolling. Further, students are often unaware of the benefits available to them and are left to navigate the complexities of the systems on their own.  

Read the full policy brief here.