Homeless and Low-Income Student Resources

The college years are often full of excitement, self-discovery, exploration and growth. Naturally, there are challenges, too. Some of the top stressors come with determining one’s major, maintaining a high GPA, finding the right career path, and affording the high costs of attending, including tuition, books, housing and food. However, for low-income students, completing their education can be far more stressful as it requires them to work just as hard to achieve the same outcome with less stability and fewer resources.

In this guide, learn about the impact of basic needs insecurity, the barriers that low-income students face and those who are more at risk. You can also find assistance programs, scholarships, resources and tips for planning a budget to help you achieve academic success.

Basic needs insecurity is a widespread problem on college campuses. It refers to problems accessing basic needs necessary to ensure a person’s overall well-being, such as food and housing.

Many factors have caused the basic needs insecurity crisis, with the pandemic being one of the biggest issues as it led to school closures, budget cuts and even unemployment. Struggling with basic needs insecurity can have an impact on academic performance. Additionally, it may negatively affect one’s physical and mental health.

Basic needs insecurity means problems prevent students from meeting their basic needs. It includes food and housing insecurity and homelessness.

The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice surveyed 130 two-year and 72 four-year colleges and universities to understand the widespread crisis further. There were over 195,000 respondents. Results show that around 58% of college students experienced a form of basic needs insecurity in 2020. Of those studying at two-year institutions, 61% said they experienced basic needs insecurity. Meanwhile, 53% of students from four-year institutions reported basic needs insecurity.

Approximately 58% of students reported that they experienced basic needs insecurity. This includes food insecurity, housing insecurity and homelessness. Specifically, around 34% of students were food insecure, 48% were housing insecure and 14% were homeless.

Based on overall basic needs insecurity, the percentage of affected students was higher at two-year institutions (61%) than those studying at four-year colleges (53%). In terms of food insecurity, 39% of students at two-year colleges were affected and 29% at four-year colleges. The rate of housing insecurity was also higher at two-year institutions (52%) than at four-year institutions (43%). Meanwhile, the rate of homelessness was 14% in both two-year and four-year colleges.

Food insecurity occurs when an individual or family lacks access to adequate food, health and well-being because of financial constraints. Among two-year college students, approximately 38% were affected by food insecurity a month before the study. In four-year colleges, 29% reported food insecurity.

There are four levels of food security. Those who fall under the marginal and high levels are considered to have food security. On the other hand, people who report low to very low levels of food security are going through food insecurity.

Among college students in two-year institutions, 38% were food insecure 30 days before the study. Of these, 22% experienced very low food security and 16% had low food security.

In four-year colleges, 29% were affected by food insecurity — 12% had low food security and 17% had very low food security during the given period.

Homelessness means having no access to permanent housing. For some, this may involve vehicular residency, where individuals live in their cars due to lack of stable housing. Throughout the years, homelessness has become a significant issue in the U.S. The Council of Economic Advisers reported that over half a million people in the country become homeless in a single night.

Many college students also experience homelessness. Around 14% said they were homeless at one point.

Aside from homelessness, many also experience housing insecurity. About 52% of two-year and 43% of four-year college students reported housing insecurity.

More than half of two-year college students said they experienced housing insecurity. Around two in five students in four-year colleges were affected by housing insecurity.

Various factors may result in housing insecurity, with utility, rent and mortgage payments being the top challenges.

The rates of homelessness in two- and four-year colleges were similar at 14%. Self-identified homeless students comprised 3% of respondents from two-year colleges and 2% of those from four-year colleges.

Although basic needs insecurity and homelessness may affect anyone, specific students are more at risk. Students of color, those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, first-generation college students and those with foster care backgrounds are more likely to experience food and housing insecurity.

The rate of basic needs insecurity was higher among students of color. LGBTQ+ students were also more at-risk. The basic needs insecurity rate is also higher among female students than male students.

First-generation college students and individuals with foster care experience are most at-risk of basic needs insecurity.

Students facing housing insecurity or homelessness may find that stress and uncertainty negatively impact their academic performance. Worrying about home expenses and the possibility of losing shelter can create anxiety. It can also affect their ability to concentrate in school and learn.

Low-income students struggling with housing can find help and support from organizations and programs specifically catering to homeless people and those experiencing housing insecurity. Different government agencies and local agencies may also offer help in finding affordable housing.

Students experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness can receive assistance from local agencies and organizations. Shelters in your city or state can be found online or by asking peers, professors and school advisors.

Most shelters don’t require anything, especially during emergency situations. Some shelters also offer various services to homeless youth, including kitchen and dining areas, laundry facilities, bathrooms and computer laboratories.

You can use the interactive map below to check for available housing assistance programs and resources available in your state.

Public housing is a government program that aims to help families afford rental housing to avoid homelessness or address housing insecurity. There are about 3,300 housing agencies helping manage the program. You can check the eligibility requirements and application process with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But generally, the program is for low-income families and individuals.

Your school’s Residential Life Office can help you find on- or off-campus housing. The counselors may even provide you with helpful resources. Additionally, they’re more familiar with the community.

Depending on your school, you may also find emergency housing, food, clothing and toiletries for at-risk and homeless students. There may also be other school programs for students experiencing basic needs insecurity.

When looking for off-campus housing, it’s best to check accessible and affordable places. Depending on your situation, you may opt to live alone or have roommates.

That said, off-campus housing can be a bit expensive. Finding the right resources can help you access cheap housing for students.

Financial planning is vital for college students. However, with the rising costs of goods and other expenses, money management becomes more challenging. This is especially true for homeless and low-income students.

Aside from tuition, other school fees and school supplies, students have to worry about their daily needs. These include housing, meals, utility bills and health care. Fortunately, there are multiple resources available based on your needs.

One of the biggest expenses college students have to deal with is their tuition. The amount may vary depending on the type of school and whether it’s a two- or four-year institution. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the current average for tuition and other school fees is around $3,900–$18,000 in two-year institutions and $9,400–$37,600 in four-year institutions. Financing these costs is a complex challenge that homeless and low-income students have to face.

Finding and applying for scholarship programs can help.

Eating healthy is crucial for students. It helps ensure overall well-being. Maintaining physical and mental health also helps students concentrate better in school. However, rising food costs make eating healthy more challenging.

That said, there are available subsidies, aids, programs and benefits that help low-income students address food insecurity.

Medical care is also essential for college students. Maintaining positive and healthy habits can help improve students’ academic outcomes. Additionally, poor health can lead to chronic absenteeism or even cause more serious health issues.

However, getting proper medical care is hard for homeless and low-income students because of potentially high costs. That’s why it’s essential to find the right resources.

College life can be stressful. Getting help can help students learn how to manage it effectively. Those suffering from anxiety and/or depression should also have access to mental health care services.

Many colleges and universities offer on-campus resources. But you can also consider other programs from advocates and organizations.

If you don’t live in on-campus housing, transportation may be one of your main concerns. Depending on your residence distance, traveling to and from school can cost a lot over time.

Fortunately, various options are available to homeless and low-income students — from public transportation to carpooling.

For homeless and low-income students, completing one’s college education comes with many barriers. MoneyGeek compiled a list of relevant resources and tools you may find helpful as you navigate your finances and address basic needs insecurity.

Food Insecurity

• Feeding America: Feeding America is a network of hundreds of food banks distributing meals across the country. Use the search tool to locate a food bank servicing your community.
• Foodbank Locator: Find local food banks by zip code or state.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Assistance Programs: Get information on various food assistance programs with the help of the USDA’s extensive list.
• Why Hunger: Locate community-based organizations and emergency food providers working to end food insecurity.

Housing Insecurity

• National Alliance to End Homelessness: Get tips on getting help in your community for housing, food and healthcare needs.
• ShelterListings: Find shelters and supportive housing with the help of this state-by-state list.
• Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP): This initiative aims to reduce youth homelessness. Learn more about this program and check the funding schedule.

Scholarships and Assistance

• Discover’s Directory: Use Discover’s directory of scholarships to find programs available to you. The list also includes deadlines and the amount eligible students will receive.
• Family Fellowship: Learn about the Family Fellowship’s scholarship program for youth in foster care. Find out if you qualify.
• Foster Care to Success: Learn about sponsored scholarships for youth in foster care and see if you’re eligible to apply.
• Grants.gov: Sort through different grants and find the best match based on eligibility, category and agency.
• Scholarships America: Find the right scholarship program for you. Select your state in the dropdown list to check available programs in your area.
• Scholarships.com: Find available scholarships for homeless or formerly homeless college students.
• SchoolHouse Connections: This nonprofit aims to help reduce homelessness through education. Scholarship awardees can get $2,000 they can use for any education-related expenses.
• Studentaid.gov: Learn about government financial aid, loans, grants and work-study programs.
• Winner for Life Foundation: This nonprofit provides scholarships and sponsorships to at-risk youth. Learn about the organization and contact them for information about their scholarships.