Read a recent article from Inside Higher Ed, Basic Needs Funding Aids Student Retention, by Ashley Mowreader and featuring CHEPP’s recent report on how just-in-time Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants impacted student persistence at SNHU during the pandemic. According to SNHU’s analysis of 47,000 students who received the second and third rounds of a total of $76.7 million HEERF grants at SNHU, the second round was 15.5% more likely to stay enrolled and the third round was 8.6% more likely to stay enrolled. Congress can update the SNAP program to make it easier for students in need to qualify for food assistance and improve their financial well-being while pursuing a college credential. It is incumbent on policymakers to use what has been learned from HEERF and the expansion of other benefit programs during the pandemic to find sustainable ways to meet college students’ basic needs going forward. When students don’t have to worry about meeting their basic needs, they are able to focus on their studies and are more likely to stay enrolled and graduate. An investment in student access to basic needs support is an investment in our nation’s workforce and economy.
At CHEPP, we’re working with likeminded partners to advocate for these policies, and more. To partner with us, visit https://letstudentseat.org/