The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs

We're researchers, scholars, policy advisors & storytellers who envision a world where basic needs insecurity isn't a barrier to pursuing + completing college.

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

The bill would eliminate subsidized loans for undergrads, spiking interest for millions of students, while slashing programs like Federal Work Study & SEOG that low-income students rely on to enroll and stay enrolled. Stay tuned for more analysis in the coming days. (2/2)

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

The House Labor-H appropriations bill—scheduled to be marked up on Tuesday—would close the Pell Grant shortfall in the coming year, and modestly raise the maximum award by $50. But it comes on the back of deep cuts to other vital higher education and student aid programs. (1/2)

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

The House Rules Committee meets today, Tuesday 6/2: https://t.co/iu1IUywfj1

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

This week, the House will consider H.R. 7892, the "No Aid for Ghost Students Act."

Despite its framing, the Department of Ed already has tools to address fraud. The bill instead raises serious concerns about expanding executive power over federal student aid. 🧵

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Students should not become collateral damage in political fights over fraud prevention.

Read our analysis 🔗: https://t.co/02wVAFZW7T

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Huge thanks to @Amanda7thStreet, José Miranda from @TICAS_org, and Jonathan Elkin from @CCTrustees for sharing their expertise!

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Missed last week's webinar on the grant competition for the FY26 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program ("Basic Needs Grant")?

We've got you covered👇🧵

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

📺 Watch the recording: https://t.co/ayHZFxCMed
📝 Access the application, due June 23—just over 3 weeks away: https://t.co/QW9qbdpRYf

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

We’re thrilled to be joined by an incredible panel of leaders deeply engaged in higher ed policy:

✨Our @bmckib & @MarkHuelsman
✨@Amanda7thStreet, Seventh Street Strategies, formerly @usedgov
✨@jnmiranda7, @TICAS_org
✨Jonathan Elkin, @CCTrustees

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Last call!🚨

TOMORROW at 1 PM ET, join us for an information session on the FY26 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (“Basic Needs Grant”) competition. We’ll discuss potential strategies for building strong applications in a rapidly shifting higher ed landscape.🧵

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

$10 million is available through the FY26 Basic Needs Grant competition, and applications are due June 23.

Eligible applicants include:

✔️Institutions of higher education
✔️Higher ed systems
✔️Tribal organizations/agencies

Register: https://t.co/2C8VOdBM9Z

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

We’ll host a webinar next Thursday, May 28 at 1 p.m. ET to walk through the competition and key considerations for applicants.

Register here: https://t.co/xgmkOltIZA

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the FY26 Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program (“Basic Needs Grant”) competition.

$10M available. Applications due June 23.

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

This year’s competition also adds new language connecting basic needs, AI, work-based learning, student success, and workforce outcomes.

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Transportation insecurity is basic needs insecurity—full stop.

We're so proud of Dr. Christine Leow + Dr. Sheniqua Jeffrey for pushing this conversation forward with rigor, clarity, and care: https://t.co/6IdDfrMbIx

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Earlier this week, our incredible research team took the stage at the #EERS26 Conference to share findings from our @kresgefdn-funded work on community college students’ transportation needs.

Getting to class shouldn’t be the barrier to staying in it.

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

It preserves deep SNAP cuts and restrictive eligibility rules that already lock students out of the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program.

Students can’t learn if they’re hungry. The Senate still has time to choose a different path.

🔗 https://t.co/YhBJeNyPX0

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

The House just passed its version of the Farm Bill—and for millions of students, it’s a step in the wrong direction.

At a moment when basic needs security is imperiled, this bill doubles down on barriers to food access instead of removing them.

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

In this month’s newsletter:

🧰 New collabs that support students’ basic needs
⚠️ Analysis of proposed federal cuts
🤝 State-level partnerships moving from data → action

Basic needs are not extras—they’re the foundation of student success.

Read more 🔗 https://t.co/IPkxZf3JQ9

[The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs @hope4college]

Finals season is here, and the stakes are clear: while students navigate rising basic needs insecurity, federal proposals threaten to pull support in the opposite direction.

Our April newsletter breaks down what’s on the line—and where we’re seeing action.