Increasing Awareness and Access to Emergency Aid

"Many college students struggle to pay for college and living expenses, which can threaten their ability to remain enrolled and graduate. A 2025 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and Generation Lab found that 42 percent of students identified financial constraints as the biggest challenge to their academic success, followed by the need to work while attending school. This was particularly true for students over 25 and those attending a two-year or public institution."

"An unexpected cost can be detrimental to a student's retention; one-third of Student Voice respondents indicated that an unplanned expense of $1,000 or less would threaten their ability to stay in college. A Trellis Strategies survey found that 56 percent of students would have trouble obtaining $500 in cash or credit to meet an unexpected expense. However, nearly two in three Student Voice respondents indicated they're unsure whether their college offers emergency aid, and only 5 percent said they had access to emergency aid."

Many college students struggle to pay for college and living expenses, threatening their ability to remain enrolled and graduate. A 2025 Student Voice survey found 42 percent of students identified financial constraints as the biggest academic challenge, with work obligations also common, especially among students over 25 and those at two-year or public institutions. One-third of respondents said an unplanned expense of $1,000 or less could jeopardize enrollment, and a Trellis Strategies survey reported 56 percent could not obtain $500 quickly. Nearly two in three students are unsure whether their college offers emergency aid, while only 5 percent reported access. Emergency aid can be delivered as one-time disbursements, completion aid, support resources, or cash transfers.

Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs