University Students: Hungry For Knowledge, Or Just Hungry?

University students are increasingly facing hunger, with rising tuition fees, living costs, and stagnant wages leaving many unable to afford food. This issue is particularly prominent in the US, where 39% of undergraduates are low-income, and 29% of students at four-year colleges have experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as a lack of access to adequate food, especially healthy food, and can have a detrimental impact on students' grades, health, and overall academic performance. The problem is even more prevalent among marginalised communities, with 75% of Indigenous, 70% of Black, and 70% of American Indian or Alaska Native students experiencing food insecurity. While food banks and pantries have been set up on many campuses, there is still a lack of awareness and evidence about the role of the charitable food sector in serving college students, and more needs to be done to address this growing issue.

Rising tuition costs

The rising cost of tuition is a significant factor contributing to hunger among college students. The cost of college has been on a steep upward trajectory over the past few decades, with the average cost of tuition and fees at both private and public universities increasing significantly. This has resulted in a situation where students are forced to choose between paying for tuition or basic necessities like food.

The average annual cost of tuition at a public 4-year college is now 40 times higher than it was in 1963. After adjusting for inflation, college tuition has increased by 197.4% since then. The most extreme decade for tuition inflation was the 1980s, with a 9.16% increase. From 2010 to 2023, the cost of tuition at public 4-year institutions increased by 36.7%.

The rising tuition costs are particularly challenging for low-income students, who often have to take on part-time or full-time jobs to finance their education. The minimum wage has not kept up with the increase in tuition fees, rising by only 400% since 1970, compared to a 2580% increase in average in-state tuition and fees over the same period. As a result, many students are taking on substantial debt to finance their education.

The rising cost of college is also changing the demographic of students. There has been an increase in the number of "non-traditional" students, who are financially independent, enrolled part-time, working full-time, or did not receive a traditional high school diploma. These students often juggle multiple responsibilities, such as parenting and working, on top of their studies, making it even more challenging to afford basic necessities like food.

The high cost of tuition, coupled with stagnant wages and rising living costs, has contributed to food insecurity among college students. Nearly 30% of students at four-year colleges have experienced food insecurity, and this percentage is even higher for marginalized communities. The rising tuition costs are a critical factor in the complex issue of hunger among college students, and addressing this issue will require a combination of policy changes, financial aid, and support services to ensure that students can access the resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.

Expensive meal plans

Meal plans are a significant expense for college students, with the average cost being around $4,500 per year, or $18.75 per day for a three-meal-a-day plan. However, some meal plans can cost as much as $9,000 per year, with the more expensive options reaching around that figure.

The cost of a meal plan depends on the school and the specific plan chosen. Some schools, particularly those that require first-year students to live on campus, mandate that students purchase a meal plan. The number of meals included in these plans varies, with some offering unlimited meals and others providing a limited number of meals per semester.

For example, at the University of Michigan, students living on campus must sign up for a meal plan, with options including an unlimited basic meal plan for $1,249 per term. In contrast, Princeton University offers an unlimited meal plan for $7,670 per year, a significantly higher price.

The high cost of meal plans can be a burden for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, and may contribute to food insecurity on college campuses. According to a survey by The Hope Center, 75% of Indigenous, 70% of Black, and 70% of American Indian or Alaska Native students experienced food insecurity across two- and four-year universities.

The expense of meal plans, coupled with rising tuition costs and other expenses, can force students to make difficult choices between eating and paying for their education.

Disparities in basic needs insecurities

The changing demographics of college students have contributed to these disparities. The proportion of "non-traditional" college students, who may be financially independent, enrolled part-time, or working full-time, has grown. Additionally, the average age of college students is now 26, and many are single parents, with 1 in 5 students caring for children. These factors, coupled with rising tuition costs, make it challenging for students to meet their basic needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these disparities, with students from marginalized communities being disproportionately impacted. During the pandemic, more than half of all students (52%) used off-campus food banks, and 30% continue to rely on them. The pandemic has brought to light the essential role of college food pantries in addressing basic needs insecurities on campuses.

To address these disparities, colleges and universities are encouraged to implement initiatives such as food pantries, campus community gardens, food recovery programs, and benefits access programs. Additionally, policies that expand access to federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP for college students from marginalized communities are crucial to ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

Student access to resources

The issue of hunger on college campuses has become more visible in recent years, with hundreds of schools opening food pantries or stores selling subsidised food. However, defining food insecurity on campus is challenging, and many students may be food insecure without realising it.

The success of food pantries and similar services depends on students being able to access them. During the pandemic, for example, many students were unable to get to campus to use the food pantry. Not all campuses provide free transportation, and some students do not have access to a car.

Even when students can get to a food pantry, they may not have the equipment to cook the food. Some students also face barriers to applying for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits, which were temporarily extended to college-age students during the pandemic. Many are unaware of how to apply unless their university informs them.

The College & University Food Bank Alliance, which supports college food banks, has over 700 members. Schools are taking steps to address the problem of student hunger, such as by making food pantries less noticeable to reduce the stigma associated with them.

Barriers to accessing resources

• Transportation: Not all students have access to transportation to get to campus food pantries or off-campus food banks.
• Cooking equipment: Some students may not have the appliances or equipment needed to cook food from food pantries.
• SNAP benefits: Many students are unaware of how to apply for SNAP benefits, and these were only temporarily extended to college-age students during the pandemic.
• Stigma: The stigma associated with food banks prevents many students from using them.

Ways to improve student access to resources

• Transportation: Universities could provide free transportation to campus for students who need to access the food pantry.
• Cooking equipment: Universities could provide access to cooking equipment and appliances for students who need it.
• SNAP benefits: Universities could raise awareness about SNAP benefits and help students to apply for them.
• Reducing stigma: Some schools have made food pantries less noticeable to reduce the stigma associated with them.

The pandemic's effect

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on university students, affecting various aspects of their lives, including their food choices and food security. The closure of campus food venues, restrictions on movement, and loss of employment have disrupted students' daily routines and eating habits. Many students have returned to their family homes, where they often assume passive roles in meal preparation and food choices. This has resulted in changes in the types and amounts of food consumed, with an increase in snacking behaviours and a perceived decline in the nutritional quality of their diets.

The pandemic has also exacerbated food insecurity among university students. A study by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that 44% of students at two-year institutions and 38% at four-year institutions experienced food insecurity during the pandemic. Additionally, about 11-15% of students at two-year and four-year institutions, respectively, faced homelessness. The pandemic has further highlighted the disparities in food insecurity among students of colour, with higher rates compared to their White peers.

Economic factors, such as reliance on financial aid, student loans, and difficulty paying utility bills or accommodation, have been significantly associated with food insecurity during the pandemic. Illness, whether COVID-19 or other significant illnesses, has also increased the odds of food insecurity among students.

The pandemic has forced universities to address food insecurity more proactively. Some universities have ramped up operations to support vulnerable students, while others have established or expanded campus food pantries. However, the stigma associated with food insecurity and the challenges of reaching all students in need remain barriers to ensuring that all students have access to adequate food.

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