Improve College Completion Rates By Addressing College Hunger
Costs On The Rise
College tuition costs are rising, and with current inflation, so are the costs of housing, food, and other necessities. The inability to afford these basic needs is the number one reason cited by community college students for not completing their education. Even with tuition aid, 38% of students at two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year universities experience hunger, according to a recent #RealCollege survey.
College students in Texas shouldn’t have to choose between food and education. Texas lawmakers can help improve college completion rates by maintaining access to SNAP for low-income students enrolled in vocational and technical degree programs.Â
Though federal policy severely restricts access to SNAP for college students, Congress made changes to guarantee food assistance for more students during the pandemic. However, this policy will expire when the Public Health Emergency ends, and thousands of students could lose their SNAP benefits at recertification.