IHEP and 90+ Organizations Urge Congress to Increase Funding for Basic Needs Grants

Washington, DC (March 25, 2026) – IHEP joined more than 90 organizations in signing a letter led by The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs urging congressional appropriators to provide $45 million in Fiscal Year 2027 funding for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. The coalition, which includes higher education institutions, advocacy organizations, and researchers, highlights the widespread prevalence of basic needs insecurity among college students, noting that nearly one in four undergraduates experience food insecurity and nearly one in ten experience homelessness. The letter emphasizes that addressing students’ basic needs is critical to improving retention and completion, as more than four in five students who stop out cite these challenges as a contributing factor. Increased funding would enable more institutions to provide comprehensive supports, such as access to food, housing, and other essential services, helping students stay enrolled and complete their degrees. 

Read the full letter.