Foundation for Academic Success
Student basic needs support provides safe, secure, reliable, and adequate access to essential resources supporting both immediate well-being and long-term educational goals through emergency assistance, systematic referrals, and comprehensive needs assessment.
Basic Insecurity
59% of college students experience at least one form of basic needs insecurity
Academic Impact
Students experiencing food insecurity are more than 40% less likely to graduate
Stop-Out Crisis
79% of students who stopped out cite basic needs insecurity or financial challenges
Proof Points
Basic needs security provides essential foundation allowing students to focus on academic success rather than survival, directly addressing barriers that prevent educational persistence and completion.
- 59% of students experience food or housing insecurity, rising to 73% including mental health and technology needs
- 79% of stopped-out students cite basic needs challenges as primary reason for leaving
- 67% of parenting students face housing insecurity with additional childcare challenges
- 4.3 million students nationally experience food insecurity affecting academic performance
New Mexico launched the nation’s first statewide approach through Governor Lujan Grisham’s Food Initiative, with University of New Mexico’s Basic Needs Project leading comprehensive survey across all 28 public and Tribal campuses. Funded with over $24 million in state investment, including $900,000 for 15 campus projects expected to benefit more than 15,000 students.
The University of New Mexico
Benefits
Student basic needs support creates foundation for academic success while addressing equity gaps that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, enabling institutions to fulfill their educational mission effectively.
Academic Focus
Students can concentrate on learning when basic survival needs are met
Removing barriers
Addresses barriers disproportionately affecting first-generation, low-income, and historically excluded student populations
Retention Improvement
Students with stable basic needs demonstrate higher persistence and completion rates
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