Our Work

Food Insecurity Among US College Students

The Extent of the Issue

A staggering 30% of all college students experience food insecurity at some point in their college careers. According to the most recent Hope Survey from Fall 2020, 38% of students in two-year colleges and 29% of students at four-year colleges reported experiencing food insecurity in the previous 30 days. The report also highlighted significant racial and ethnic disparities; 75% of Indigenous, 70% of Black, and 70% of American Indian or Alaska Native students experienced food insecurity, housing insecurity, or homelessness, compared to 54% of White students.

According to data from the College and University Food Bank Alliance (CUFA), 30% of college students are food insecure at some time during their time in school, a higher percentage than is found in the general population. “Food insecurity” is not having enough resources financially to obtain food or not having consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

There are many factors that contribute to this high level of food insecurity among college students. One reason is the various demands on their funds while having to pay for school tuition, housing, and books. Inflation affecting food prices could also be a factor. In addition, students rarely qualify for food programs such as SNAP.

College meal plans for students are often too expensive for low-income students.  For example, at Columbia University, a meal plan for first-year students must be paid for upfront. That’s $2,802 per semester, $11.40 per meal — about $34 a day. 

Students having a hard time affording food can experience shame and embarrassment, keeping them from asking for help. Students willing to seek help may not know where to begin.

Often students who face food insecurity don’t apply for any support programs because they don’t know how.

Food Insecurity Impacts Student Lives Forever

Food insecurity can potentially harm college students’ ability to achieve their educational and professional goals. Students who deal with hunger often get lower grades than their counterparts and tend to withdraw before completing their degree or certificate. As a result, they end up qualifying for fewer jobs because they don’t have that certification, they earn less money, and they have difficulty repaying their student loans.

Food insecurity among college students is a slippery slope. In the short term, they can:

• Suffer fatigue and lack of concentration.

• Be overwhelmed by stress and worry.

• See a decline in their grades.

Students experiencing food insecurity can suffer from long-term effects:

• Unable to complete the degree within the 2- or 4-year period extending financial pressures.

• Unable to complete their degree at all.

• Unable to launch the career they were hoping for.

• Remain in low-paying jobs.

• Unable to lift themselves out of low-income status.

Why People Are Not Aware of This Issue

Often people assume that if someone can afford to be in college, then they can afford to buy food. In reality, many students have to make the choice between school payments or buying food. Or they may use loans to cover tuition costs, but they do not have the money to buy food.

How GTO NJ Helps

Because food insecurity is a common issue in US colleges, Greater Than Ourselves has taken it upon itself to partner with New Jersey Colleges to enhance their ability to provide free, fresh, and nutritional meals and snacks for their students. Our organizational goals are to partner with various educational institutions, including Technical and Vocational educational institutions, providing meals and other needed program assistance.

Many colleges and universities have addressed this rising problem by opening on-campus food pantries to supplement students who cannot afford a meal plan.  GTO helps fill in the gap by providing funds for students to have healthy meals as they pursue their education. The monies that GTO provides allow the schools to set up meal vouchers for individual students in need and to stock food pantries with healthy foods.

Help us overcome this challenge for so many college students. Support these students with a donation today.