Student Basic Needs Coalition

?? Help us improve our?College SNAP Project?website! ?? Right now, the site includes: ? A SNAP eligibility screener ? Instructions on how to apply ? Links to application assistance in every state We want to add new features to make it even more useful—so we’re asking?you?what would be most helpful! Vote below ?? ?? A calculator showing how much students at a specific campus are leaving on the table in SNAP benefits ?? A dashboard tracking how much the site has helped students unlock in benefits ?? A step-by-step video walkthrough of the application process ?? An FAQ page for applicants What would make the biggest impact? Vote and drop any other ideas in the comments! Visit the site here: https://lnkd.in/eMukyxnd #StudentBasicNeeds #SNAP #HigherEd #FoodSecurity #StudentSupport #StudentAffairs

???Exciting news! We just relaunched the College SNAP Project! The?College SNAP Project?is a?state-by-state guide?designed to help college students access the?food assistance they’re eligible for. Far too many students experience food insecurity, yet?confusing eligibility rules and application processesprevent them from getting the SNAP benefits they deserve. Our newly updated site provides: ??A state-customized eligibility screener ??Instructions on how to apply ??Information on where to get application assistance This resource was originally created by?Swipe Out Hunger?and the?Congressional Hunger Center, and we’re grateful for their leadership in launching this critical tool. We’re honored that they’ve entrusted the?Student Basic Needs Coalition?to manage and expand its impact. ???Explore the new site: https://lnkd.in/eMukyxnd ???Help spread the word!?Every student should know about this resource. #CollegeSNAPProject #SNAP #StudentBasicNeeds #EndHunger #HigherEd #FoodSecurity #StudentSuccess #HigherEducation #StudentAffairs

???Calling All Student Government Leaders! Student government leaders have the power to?make real change—ensuring that every student has access to?food, housing, financial aid, and mental health support. At?Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC), we’re here to help you?lead the way?with training, resources, and advocacy opportunities. ???Ways to Get Involved: ??Get Endorsed?– Running for student government? If you’re committed to?fighting for student basic needs, apply for an?SBNC endorsement?for public recognition, access to advocacy resources, and support from a national network. ??Join the SBNC Leadership Hub?– Connect with student leaders across the country, access?policy toolkits, organizing guides, and training videos, and get exclusive opportunities to shape advocacy efforts on your campus. ??Bring an SBNC Speaker to Your Campus?– Learn from experienced advocates on?policy change, student organizing, and the economic impact of basic needs programs. Your leadership matters.?Join the movement and build a campus where all students can focus on their education—without worrying about their next meal or a safe place to sleep. ?? Explore the new page & get involved: https://lnkd.in/erQaXvfg #StudentLeadership #BasicNeedsAdvocacy #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #SBNC

???Florida’s New Policy Creates Barriers for Students and Impacts Workforce Development Florida’s decision to revoke in-state tuition for undocumented students who graduated from Florida high schools will have?long-term consequences for students, colleges, and the state’s economy. This change is expected to result in?$25 million in lost tuition and fees?for Florida’s colleges and universities and could make it harder to fill workforce gaps in?healthcare, education, and STEM. Many of the affected students have spent their entire K-12 education in Florida and are already contributing to their communities. Without access to affordable higher education, they face difficult decisions about whether they can continue their studies. Beyond the economic impact,?providing students with access to education is simply the right thing to do. When students have the opportunity to learn and grow, entire communities benefit.?Investing in education is an investment in a stronger future for everyone. Read more about what this change means for Florida’s future: https://lnkd.in/gyj-VbeC #HigherEd #WorkforceDevelopment #StudentSuccess #EducationAccess #OpportunityForAll #StudentAffairs

?? 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