Temple University’s Hope Center for Student Basic Needs released the findings of its 2023-24 student basic needs survey, which investigates the prevalence of food, housing, and other basic needs insecurities amongst college students. Nearly 75,000 students from 91 higher ed institutions across 16 states responded to the survey.

Key Findings

  • More than half of students (59%) experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity. 41% are food insecure, 48% lack adequate housing, and 14% experience homelessness.
  • The Hope Center also studied other basic needs—mental health, child care, transportation, and internet/technology access, insecurity of which affects roughly 3 in 4 students (73%).
  • Basic needs insecurity is linked to degree completion. 79% of students who had previously stopped out of college (and later reenrolled) or are considering stopping out reported experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity and/or financial strain.
  • A large share (44%) of respondents reported facing mental health challenges like anxiety and/or depression that affected their ability to complete college. 57% of respondents who had previously stopped out of college, but subsequently reenrolled, cited mental health issues as their reason for doing so.
  • Importantly, basic needs insecurity more often impacts historically marginalized student populations who have the hardest time accessing—and persisting through—higher ed (e.g., students of color, Indigenous students, student parents, low-income students, students with disabilities, and formerly incarcerated individuals).

Students just don’t know where to get help: Nearly 2 in 3 students (65%) shared that they were unaware of support services available to them. 51% of students who experienced basic needs insecurity received no public benefits at all, and 48% did not use any campus resources. The Hope Center calls on federal policymakers and higher education leaders to raise awareness of the safety nets available to students—both on and off campus—and reduce administrative barriers that prevent students from enrolling in benefits programs they are eligible for.

Things may get worse: On February 25, the House passed its 2025 budget resolution along party lines, with just one Republican, Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, voting with Democrats against it. The budget bill slashes funding for public benefits programs, including a $230 billion cut to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). [The New York Times, subscription model]

According to a 2024 analysis by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 3.3 million students were potentially eligible for SNAP benefits under standard student exemptions in 2020, but 67% of eligible students didn’t receive those benefits. These cuts will only worsen the “SNAP gap” that leaves millions of students hungry and at a greater risk for stopping out of college.

The budget resolution also directs the House Education and Workforce Committee to axe at least $330 billion over the next 10 years, potentially putting student loan repayment plans and Pell grants on the chopping block and exacerbating financial difficulties and stressors for students. [Inside Higher Ed]

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