Congresswoman Torres Leads Letter in Support of Funding for Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program
Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) led 27 of her House colleagues in a letter to the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations subcommittee requesting $45 million in funding for the Department of Education’s Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. This program is based on the BASIC Act, introduced by Congresswoman Torres.
Basic Needs Grants provide funding to colleges and universities to help students access essential resources such as food, housing, hygiene, childcare, transportation, and physical and mental healthcare. A study by the National Center for Education Sciences conducted in 2023 indicated that 23 percent of undergraduate students nationwide experience food insecurity, and the data shows over 4.3 million undergraduate and graduate students experience low or very low food security.
“Higher education is an invaluable asset in the 21st century workforce, but it should never come at the expense of student’s financial, physical, or emotional stability. I have heard from students about the difficulties of affording college, including students faced to choose between buying books or buying food, safe housing, or medical care. This is unacceptable. Congress must act to provide additional funding for the Basic Needs Grants to allow students to focus on academic success rather than basic needs like shelter, safety, and food.” said Congresswoman Torres.
“Federal funding for the Basic Needs Grant is critical to addressing the rampant crisis of basic needs insecurity facing students in higher education today. Millions of students don’t have enough to eat, a safe place to live, reliable transportation, or affordable child care. This essential federal grant helps colleges and universities—and especially community colleges, HBCUs, tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions—develop systemic solutions to the challenges and struggles that students are confronting. By connecting students to public and tax benefits, surveying students about their needs, and centralizing resources and assistance—campuses can make proven changes to help their students succeed. We thank Congresswoman Norma J. Torres, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, for her steadfast leadership in support of the Basic Needs Grant program and urge her colleagues to join her efforts.” said Bryce McKibben, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at The Hope Center at Temple University.
"For years, community colleges have advocated for removing barriers hindering students' academic pursuits, including basic needs like food, housing, transportation, childcare, and broadband connectivity. The Basic Needs program equips institutions with resources to dismantle these obstacles and empower students to enroll and complete their postsecondary programs. The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) thanks Congresswoman Torres for her leadership to pilot and continue funding the Basic Needs programs. We urge Congress to continue investing in these critical efforts to improve student outcomes across the nation." said Jee Hang Lee, President and CEO at the Association of Community College Trustees.
Since Fiscal Year 2021, the Department of Education has awarded colleges and universities more than $29 million in funding for the Basic Needs Grants, including for community colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other Minority Serving Institutions.
Congresswoman Torres was joined in signing the letter by Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Danny Davis (IL-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) , Nannette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Summer Lee (PA-12), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Mark Takano (CA-39), Katie Porter (CA-47), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Ann Kuster (NH-02), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Rashida Tlaib (MI-13), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Terri Sewell (AL-07).
Full letter here.
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