Student Basic Needs Coalition

?? DEI Bans Are Changing Higher Ed – What Students Need to Know ?? The latest?“Dear Colleague” letter?from the U.S. Department of Education has given federally funded schools?just 14 days?to dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs or risk losing funding. This move is part of a sweeping effort by the Trump administration to roll back DEI initiatives at colleges across the country, threatening decades of progress toward?equity and access in higher education. ???What’s happening? 119 bills in 29 states?have been introduced to limit DEI efforts in public colleges. 12 states?have already passed legislation banning DEI programs. Colleges are eliminating DEI offices, cutting funding for student resources, and restricting identity-based scholarships. Experts warn this could?reduce student success, limit access to financial aid, and erase vital support systems for underrepresented students. ???But here’s the truth:?DEI is not just about race—it impacts?all students.?From campus food pantries to disability accommodations, DEI policies help level the playing field and ensure all students have the resources they need to succeed. ???Student voices have power.?As this article highlights,?student activism has shaped policy before, and it will again.Lawmakers need to hear from students, faculty, and advocates who understand the real impact of these rollbacks. ???Read the full article to understand what’s at stake:?https://lnkd.in/gzNNAeAs #HigherEd #DEI #StudentAdvocacy #CollegeAccess #EducationMatters #BlackStudentLeadership #SNAPforStudents

During?Black History Month (and every month), we’re highlighting the impact of?Black student leadership?at a time when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies are under attack. Across the country, students are leading the charge against harmful rollbacks—but are institutions listening? In this episode of?The Student Impact Report, we break down: ?? The?Trump administration’s mandate?to dismantle DEI programs within 14 days or risk losing federal funding ?? Florida’s decision to?eliminate in-state tuition?for undocumented students and the ripple effects on access to higher education ?? The impact of?Ohio’s Senate Bill 1, which threatens DEI programs, faculty rights, and campus diversity efforts ?? A?win for food security, as Virginia considers new funding for college food pantries ????Special Guest: Jaleah Taylor, Student Body President at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Jaleah joins us to discuss: ? How DEI rollbacks are affecting students in real time ? The role of?Black student leadership?in shaping policy and campus culture ? How students are organizing to fight back and protect inclusive spaces ? Her work to launch a?meal swipe donation program?and advocate for an?interfaith center This conversation is happening?right now—as institutions grapple with shifting policies,?Black student leaders are stepping up to protect progress and fight for equity. ?? Listen now: https://lnkd.in/emkwEcNC #BlackHistoryMonth #HigherEd #DEI #BlackStudentLeadership #StudentAdvocacy #EducationMatters #CollegeAccess

Florida is the Most Recent State to Introduce Hunger Free Campus Legislation! A new bill in Florida, SB 980, would launch a Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program to tackle food insecurity at three public colleges or universities with the highest percentage of Pell Grant recipients. The bill requires participating campuses to: ?? Designate staff to help students enroll in SNAP (a critical step!) ?? Create a hunger task force with student representation ?? Ensure students can use SNAP benefits on or near campus ?? Provide food pantries or meal credit donation programs ?? Host awareness events on campus Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eMqjRDeR We know that dedicated staff make a huge difference in getting eligible students connected to SNAP. Without someone to walk them through the process, too many students fall through the cracks. We’re glad to see this included in the bill—but we also know that real impact will take long-term investment, not just a one-year pilot. Does your campus have staff designated to support students with SNAP enrollment? ?? Yes, and it’s been effective ?? Yes, but we need more capacity ?? No, but we want to ?? No, and don’t plan to Vote in the poll and drop a comment—what’s working (or not working) on your campus? #StudentBasicNeeds #HungerFreeCampus #SNAP #HigherEdPolicy

Want to know how your campus can push forward to ensure student basic needs are met despite changes to the Department of Education? As federal policies shift, colleges and universities must take proactive steps to support students facing food and housing insecurity. The need for institutional leadership has never been greater. When resources are harder to access, campuses play a crucial role in ensuring students don’t fall through the cracks. In this Fast Company article, our Co-Founder, Paige Swanstein, breaks down the impact of these policy changes and what higher education leaders can do to protect student well-being. Read more to learn how your campus can take action: https://lnkd.in/e2kP4PvS #HigherEd #BasicNeeds #StudentSuccess #EducationPolicy

“Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies are the gateway to opening doors for students who historically would not have the opportunity to go to school.” Although this article was published last summer, it remains just as relevant today as DEI programs are being dismantled across higher education. These policies shape whether students from historically marginalized backgrounds can access, afford, and complete their education. Without DEI initiatives, the barriers that have long excluded students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students become even harder to overcome. The data is clear: when students have equitable access to resources, they persist at higher rates and graduate with greater opportunities. Rolling back DEI policies reinforces the systemic inequities that continue to limit access to higher education. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eZvZUyg4 The fight for educational equity is ongoing. How is your institution responding to these challenges? #HigherEd #DEI #StudentSuccess #EquityInEducation

Too many students are struggling to afford basic needs—despite being eligible for help. A recent?Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) report?found that?CalFresh and Medi-Cal?could significantly reduce students’ unmet financial need. Yet,?69% of eligible students aren’t enrolled. Why??Complex applications, lack of awareness, and policy barriers keep students from accessing these critical benefits. The good news??We know what works. ??Peer navigators?help students enroll through trusted, student-to-student support. ??Tech solutions?simplify eligibility screening and applications. ??Policy change?can remove barriers and expand access. ?? It’s time to make these solutions the norm.?Check out this carousel to see how we can close the college SNAP gap and ensure every student has the resources to succeed. #BasicNeeds #CollegeAffordability #SNAP #PeerNavigators #StudentSuccess #HigherEducation #StudentAffairs

????Introducing?The Student Impact Report—where student leadership meets real-world impact. Launching?February 18th, this podcast dives into the latest news affecting students and spotlights the student leaders driving change on their campuses and beyond. From tackling?food and housing insecurity?to pushing for?policy reforms, we’re highlighting the power of student voices in shaping a?more affordable, accessible?higher education system. But we’re not stopping there. We’ll also explore the broader issues students face, including?economic justice, healthcare access, and civic engagement—because students aren’t just the future; they’re leading change now. Join us as we break down challenges, celebrate student-led solutions, and inspire the next generation of changemakers with hosts Taylor Allgood, MPA-SJ and Maya Denaé Taylor. ?? Learn more and be the first to listen:?https://lnkd.in/g2HWQzye #StudentImpactReport #HigherEd #StudentLeadership #Advocacy #FoodSecurity #HousingSecurity #CivicEngagement

???Tomorrow: See How Your Campus Can Easily Connect Students to SNAP! ???Register now:?https://lnkd.in/eJBP7PQY Join us for an exclusive webinar on?February 12?to explore?Navvy, our custom-built?eligibility screener and direct application tool?designed for college students.?And the best part? A free version is available! ???Quick Eligibility Screening?– Quickly determines if students qualify for SNAP. ???Secure Direct Submission?– Allows students to apply through the platform, eliminating extra steps. ???Impact Tracking?– Data dashboards show dollars unlocked, student demographics, and application trends. ???Student Surveys?– Measures if students received benefits and how this has shaped their college experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to simplify access to basic needs for your students! ?? #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #BasicNeeds #Technology #SocialImpact #StudentAffairs

?? SBNC Receives $250,000 Grant from GitLab Foundation to Expand AI-Powered SNAP Access for College Students ?? Too many college students struggle to afford basic necessities, yet critical resources like SNAP remain underutilized due to complex application processes and administrative barriers. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been selected as one of 14 organizations to receive a grant from the GitLab Foundation AI for Economic Opportunity Fund as part of its second round of funding! With this support, we’re developing an AI-powered eligibility screener and application assistance tool to help college students access SNAP benefits more efficiently. By leveraging AI, we’re streamlining the enrollment process, reducing administrative burdens, and ensuring that more eligible students receive the food assistance they need to stay in school and graduate. We can’t wait to share more about how this grant will accelerate our work—and we’re proud to be part of a movement using AI to create lasting economic impact. Learn more about the fund: https://lnkd.in/e8JTwnrR Comment below if you want to be kept informed about the status of the pilot and opportunities to try it out! #AIforEconomicOpportunity #AI #artificialintelligence #futureofwork #economicdevelopment

Is your campus looking for an easier way to connect students to SNAP and other critical resources? Introducing Navvy, our custom-built eligibility screener and application tool designed specifically for college students! Register here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eJBP7PQY Navvy streamlines the process of screening and applying for resources, saving time and reducing barriers for students who need support. The best part? A free version of Navvy is available for campuses ready to better support their students. If you’re a college administrator, join us for an exclusive webinar on February 12 to see Navvy in action and learn how it can benefit your campus. ?? https://lnkd.in/eJBP7PQY Thanks to Ariel Porath and Kevan de Silva for making this possible! We’re excited to share this innovative tool and help close the SNAP gap for college students. Let’s make resource access easier, together!