College Students Across Country Struggling to Afford Food, Says New Report
GoLocalProv News Team
College Students Across Country Struggling to Afford Food, Says New Report
Read the Report Here
The report was conducted after a request from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, Patty Murray, Debbie Stabenow and Ed Markey in February of 2017.
"No student should have to decide whether or not they will eat that day or go hungry while they work hard towards a better future. This GAO report is not only the first-ever federal report on hunger at American colleges and universities, but is also an important step towards ensuring students have what they need to succeed,” said Warren.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe report reviewed 31 local studies from around the country.
Markey added, "Students don't go to college to learn how to go hungry. In Massachusetts and across the country, food insecurity on college campuses is a serious problem. This report highlights solutions that will help eligible students with clear explanations of and instructions for receiving SNAP benefits. I am hopeful about the progress we can make by implementing these recommendations, and look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to further support our students."
The Report
The report confirms that food insecurity is a widespread issue and recommends the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) take steps to help enroll potentially eligible students in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
GAO noted that first-generation college students or students who are raising children as a single parent are especially at risk of food insecurity.
GAO determined that students aren't getting the information they need about SNAP benefits from the federal government and that the majority of potentially eligible students are not receiving benefits, totaling more than 1.8 million students nationwide.
Many students aren't able to receive SNAP benefits because of state or federal eligibility requirements.
To fill those gaps, GAO finds that states and colleges are working to coordinate benefits access, research student needs, and expand eligibility rules where possible.
New England College Rankings - U.S. News & World Report 2019
2.
Harvard University
Tuition & Fees: $50,420 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $17,160 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 20,604
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
3.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $51,832 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $15,510 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 11,466
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
3.
Yale University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $53,430 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $16,000 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 12,974
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
12.
Dartmouth College (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $55,035 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $15,756 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 6,509
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
14.
Brown University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $55,656 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $14,670 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 10,095
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
27.
Tufts University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $56,382 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $14,560 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 11,449
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
35.
Brandeis University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $55,395 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $15,440 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 5,722
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
38.
Boston College (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $55,464 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $14,478 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 13,996
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
42.
Boston University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $53,948 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $15,720 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 33,355
Application Deadline: Jan. 2
44.
Northeastern University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $51,387 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $16,880 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 21,489
Application Deadline: Jan. 1
59.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $50,530 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $14,774 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 6,642
Application Deadline: Feb 1
63.
University of Connecticut (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $15,730 (2018-19)
Out of State Tuition: $38,098 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $12,874 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 27,578
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
66.
Clark University (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $45,730 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $9,170 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 3,153
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
70.
University of Massachusetts Amherst (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $15,887 (2018-19)
Out Of State Tuition: $34,570 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $13,202 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 30,340
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
96.
University of Vermont (tie)
Tuition & Fees: $18,276 (2018-19)
Out of State Tuition: $42,516 (2018-19)
Room And Board: $12,462 (2018-19)
Total Enrollment: 13,340
Application Deadline: Jan. 15
