Student Basic Needs Coalition

Food insecurity is a growing crisis affecting millions of college students, with 3.8 million students experiencing it in 2020 alone. This issue not only impacts their health but also their ability to focus on school and graduate. As highlighted in this TIME article by Carrie R. W., support programs like SNAP aren’t reaching enough students due to outdated eligibility rules and a complicated application process, leaving many without the help they need. At the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC), we are working to change this through three key solutions: 👉 Peer Navigator Network: We train student leaders as peer navigators who connect their peers to resources like SNAP. Through outreach and personal support, these students help break down stigma and ensure more people get the food they need. 📊 Training Administrators for Data-Driven Outreach: We partner with campus administrators to use data-driven strategies for identifying food-insecure students. By helping schools implement effective outreach, we ensure resources reach the students who need them the most. 🗣️ Advocating for Expanded SNAP Eligibility: Current SNAP rules are far too restrictive, excluding millions of students. We advocate for policy reforms that expand eligibility, making it easier for students to access essential nutrition support while continuing their education. Additionally, we leverage streamlined technology to help students easily determine their eligibility and complete the SNAP application process. This reduces the complexity and frustration of accessing support, ensuring students can focus on their education, not paperwork. Read more about the scale of this issue and join us in pushing for solutions that support every student’s basic needs: https://lnkd.in/eeEKPDeH. #FoodInsecurity #HigherEducation #PeerNavigators #SNAPReform #StudentSupport #DataDrivenSolutions #TechForGood #Philanthropy #StudentAffairs #SocialImpact

📢 Legislative Update: Proposed BASIC Act to Support Students’ Basic Needs U.S. Senator Alex Padilla and Representative Norma J. Torres have reintroduced the Basic Assistance for Students in College (BASIC) Act, which aims to help college students meet their essential needs. 🔑 Key Highlights🔑 💵 The act proposes a billion-dollar grant program to help students access resources such as food, housing, childcare, transportation, and health care. 🎯 The goal is to create a student social safety net, helping students focus on their education without being burdened by unmet basic needs. 🎓 The legislation is supported by organizations like the American Council on Education and California Community Colleges. 💬 Significance As we know, students cannot focus on their education if they’re worried about their next meal or where they’ll sleep. This legislation aims to address those concerns by providing targeted support for students facing basic needs insecurity. In addition, this funding could assist institutions in developing comprehensive basic needs centers, centralizing resources to make it easier for students to access necessary support in one location. If this legislation passes, colleges who receive funding should prioritize evidence-based solutions to basic needs insecurity. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e6Vtwhbc #HigherEd #BasicNeeds #StudentSuccess #Legislation #CollegeAffordability #StudentAffairs

🎉 Big News! We’ve Connected Students to Over $1 Million in Benefits 🎉 We’re excited to share that during the previous academic year, the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) helped students access over $1 million in food assistance through SNAP! This milestone reflects the hard work of our student leaders, peer navigators, and partners who are dedicated to ensuring that no student has to choose between their education and their basic needs. 💡 How did we do it? 👩🎓 Empowering student leaders to connect their peers with resources 🤝 Partnering with campus administrators and community organizations 📲 Using technology to simplify applications and break down barriers But we’re not stopping here! There’s still work to be done, and we’re committed to reaching even more students this year, especially those at community colleges and state universities where resources are limited. Read our full reflection here: https://lnkd.in/e3BhHvHh Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Together, we’re creating a future where every student has the support they need to thrive. #StudentSuccess #BasicNeeds #HigherEd #SNAP #Leadership #CollegeAffordability #StudentAffairs

Poll: What training format do you find most effective for learning about student support resources? 🎓💡 We’re looking to enhance our training programs for college staff, and we’d love to hear from you! What format do you find most effective when learning how to support students' basic needs? 📅 Live virtual workshops 🎥 Pre-recorded video tutorials 🖥️ Interactive online modules 📖 Downloadable guides and toolkits Feel free to share any additional thoughts in the comments below! Your feedback will help us shape our programs to better serve students and staff. 🙌 #ProfessionalDevelopment #HigherEdTraining #StudentSupport #CollegeStaff #FacultyDevelopment #TrainingPrograms #CampusResources #BasicNeedsSupport #HigherEducation #StaffTraining #StudentAffairs #StudentSuccess

🎯 U.S. News Highlights SBNC’s Work in Addressing the College SNAP Gap 🎯 The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) was recently featured in a U.S. News & World Report article discussing the critical issue of food insecurity among college students. The article reveals that 67% of potentially eligible college students are not receiving SNAP benefits—a gap that can severely impact their academic success and well-being. At SBNC, we are on the front lines of this issue, working tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to the resources they need. From demystifying SNAP eligibility to empowering student leaders on campuses, our efforts are making a difference. 💡 Our Impact: 📚 Educating Students: We provide clear, accessible information to help students navigate the SNAP application process. 🏛️ Advocating for Change: We collaborate with policymakers to extend SNAP eligibility to more students. 💪 Empowering Student Leaders: Our peer navigator programs train students to advocate for their peers and ensure they receive essential benefits. In the article, our Co-Founder and Executive Director, Paige Swanson, highlighted the importance of removing barriers to SNAP access: “Many students are unaware that they qualify for SNAP benefits. Our goal is to remove the barriers that prevent them from accessing these vital resources.” Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ebUF8-iz Partner with us in our mission to support students in overcoming food insecurity and achieving their educational goals. #StudentBasicNeeds #SNAP #CollegeAffordability #FoodInsecurity #HigherEdAdvocacy #StudentAffairs #HigherEducation

We’re excited to welcome Alexis Newman as our new Campus Program Manager! With her strong background in educational equity and leadership, Alexis will be instrumental in supporting our campus chapters, managing the Momentum Institute, and overseeing the SNAP Into Action program. Alexis Newman holds a B.S. in Political Communication: Leadership, Politics, and Social Advocacy and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Digital Communication Leadership from Emerson College, where she is a Transformational Leadership Fellow. Driven by a deep commitment to educational equity and justice, Alexis has worked in and around education since 2017, focusing on building accessible pathways for students—particularly those from historically marginalized and racialized communities—to turn their passion into action and develop the advocacy skills necessary to push for systemic change in their educational spaces. Learn more about Alexis and her new role here: https://lnkd.in/e-Ay6iNx #Welcome #TeamSBNC #EducationalEquity #StudentAdvocacy

🚀 Exciting Opportunity for Community College Students! 🚀 The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is launching our Community College Peer Navigator Program, and we’re recruiting student participants from 15 community colleges across the country! 🌟 This year-long program offers a unique chance for students to: - Make a Difference: Support your peers in accessing essential resources like SNAP. - Develop Leadership Skills: Gain valuable experience in outreach, communication, and advocacy. - Earn a $2,000 Stipend ($15 an hour): Get financially compensated for your commitment to making a positive impact on your campus. 📢 Calling all community college administrators—please share this opportunity with your students! Encourage them to apply and be part of a movement to ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed. 💻 Interested students can apply online by September 20th. Join us in making a difference and empowering your campus community! Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gsHSBx3x #StudentSuccess #Leadership #CommunityColleges #SNAP #PeerNavigator #StudentAdvocacy #EmpowerStudents #Opportunity #SocialImpact #StudentAffairs

🎉 Big News from the Student Basic Needs Coalition! 🎉 We’re excited to share that SBNC has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This grant will enable us to expand our peer navigator program to more community colleges, helping thousands of students gain access to SNAP benefits and tackle food insecurity. Community colleges are a vital gateway to education for students from low-income backgrounds, yet many eligible students still face barriers to receiving SNAP benefits. The SNAP gap—where students miss out on benefits they’re entitled to—can have serious consequences, from increased stress to lower academic performance. Thanks to this generous grant, we’re expanding our peer navigator program, where student leaders with lived experience guide their peers through the SNAP application process. These peer navigators play a critical role in reducing stigma and making the process more accessible. We’re also creating a new full-time Campus Program Manager role to oversee these efforts and ensure more students get the support they need. This initiative is about more than just increasing SNAP enrollment—it’s about creating a sustainable model that can be replicated across other schools, amplifying our impact. We’re incredibly grateful to the Annie E. Casey Foundation for their commitment to this crucial work. Stay connected with us as we continue to push forward in our mission to make college more affordable and accessible for all students. Learn more about this initiative and how you can get involved: https://lnkd.in/gsYfE7dz #SocialJustice #StudentAdvocacy #SNAPGap #FoodInsecurity #CommunityColleges #StudentLeaders #SBNC #HigherEducation #CollegeAccess #PeerSupport #NonprofitOrganization #EducationEquity #StudentSuccess #CampusCommunity #AdvocacyWork #SocialImpact #StudentAffairs

The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) is deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges unaccompanied homeless youth face with the FAFSA process. This summer, delays in financial-aid processing have hit these students especially hard. Worse, some financial-aid offices are imposing unnecessary and unlawful hurdles, making it even more difficult for these students to access the aid they desperately need. The statistics are staggering: 8% of undergraduates experienced homelessness in 2019-20, and 4.2 million young adults aged 18-25 faced homelessness on their own over a 12-month period. Among them, nearly a third were enrolled in postsecondary education. At SBNC, we’re committed to advocating for these vulnerable students and ensuring they get the support they deserve. We encourage you to read this important article from The Chronicle of Higher Education and join us in pushing for change. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/eHWAt5zc #StudentAdvocacy #SocialJustice #FAFSAChallenges #StudentHomelessness #HigherEd #BasicNeeds #SBNC #StudentAffairs #StudentSuccess

Meet one of our California Peer Navigators, Mia Rodriguez, from University of California, San Diego! To learn more about the program, read our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/e6giSWwt "Hi, my name is Mia Rodriguez (She/her). My hometown is Rancho Cucamonga, California and I attend UCSD majoring in business economics. Nonethless, I am passionate about doing CalFresh outreach on my campus because I have seen first hand the impact it has on my peers; it truly is a resource to help others. "