The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report this week which found that 3.8 million college students experienced food insecurity in 2020, representing nearly one-quarter (23%) of all college students in the U.S. [Inside Higher Ed]
The report, which comes as one of two reports requested by the chairs of the House Committee on Education and Labor and House Committee on Agriculture in 2021, analyzed data from the 2020 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS).
Key takeaways:
- 2.2 million students in 2020 had “very low” food security, meaning that they reported multiple instances where they had skipped meals or purposefully ate less because they could not afford food.
- 80% of food insecure students are considered nontraditional. Students who are financially independent from their parents, students caring for dependents, students with disabilities, and students who are single parents are all more likely than not to be food insecure.
- Of the 3.3 million students GAO determined to be potentially eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits under standard student exemptions, 67% reported that their household did not receive benefits.
Why it matters: Inadequate nutrition is proven to have negative effects on academic performance and health outcomes—both physical and mental. It also impacts college persistence: according to a 2022 study, students who are food insecure are 40% less likely to complete their degree.
The timing is right: This report provides critical insight to federal policymakers as they work to update the Farm Bill, an omnibus piece of legislation that governs agriculture and nutrition programs. With the Farm Bill due for renewal by the end of September, the opportunity to improve eligibility criteria for and increase students’ awareness of SNAP benefits is now.
Go deeper: Read more about how basic needs insecurity impacts college students from our team, here.
