Addressing College Student Food Insecurity in Colorado: Student Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and College Practices. Research Report. RR-A3587-1
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| Title: | Addressing College Student Food Insecurity in Colorado: Student Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and College Practices. Research Report. RR-A3587-1 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Lindsay Daugherty, Brian Phillips, Jonathan H. Cantor, Amanda Perez, Jennifer Kret, Michael Vente, RAND Education and Labor |
| Source: | RAND Corporation. 2025. |
| Availability: | RAND Corporation. P.O. Box 2138, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138. Tel: 877-584-8642; Tel: 310-451-7002; Fax: 412-802-4981; e-mail: order@rand.org; Web site: http://www.rand.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 32 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305S230002 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Federal Programs, Welfare Services, Nutrition, College Students, Hunger, Student Participation, Eligibility, Student Characteristics, Barriers, Nontraditional Students, Postsecondary Education, Minority Group Students |
| Geographic Terms: | Colorado |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) |
| DOI: | 10.7249/RRA3587-1 |
| Abstract: | Nearly one in four college students struggle with food insecurity. Over the past decade, states and postsecondary institutions have expanded support for student nutritional needs through food pantries, emergency aid grants, and efforts to increase student participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through outreach and application assistance. RAND partnered with the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Department of Human Services to build evidence on state and local efforts to expand college students' SNAP participation. In this report, the authors (1) identify trends in SNAP eligibility, applications, denials, and participation for college students enrolled at Colorado postsecondary institutions between the 2014-2015 and 2021-2022 academic years; (2) assess how SNAP eligibility and participation varies across key student subgroups and across Colorado institutions; and (3) explore college efforts to scale SNAP outreach and application support in Colorado and highlight promising approaches from leading institutions and remaining barriers hindering student SNAP participation. The analyses draw on statewide administrative data on college enrollees and SNAP participants and applicants, surveys of staff who manage students' basic needs, and interviews with postsecondary institutions that are leaders in basic needs support and other state and nonprofit stakeholders. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED676902 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Nearly one in four college students struggle with food insecurity. Over the past decade, states and postsecondary institutions have expanded support for student nutritional needs through food pantries, emergency aid grants, and efforts to increase student participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through outreach and application assistance. RAND partnered with the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Department of Human Services to build evidence on state and local efforts to expand college students' SNAP participation. In this report, the authors (1) identify trends in SNAP eligibility, applications, denials, and participation for college students enrolled at Colorado postsecondary institutions between the 2014-2015 and 2021-2022 academic years; (2) assess how SNAP eligibility and participation varies across key student subgroups and across Colorado institutions; and (3) explore college efforts to scale SNAP outreach and application support in Colorado and highlight promising approaches from leading institutions and remaining barriers hindering student SNAP participation. The analyses draw on statewide administrative data on college enrollees and SNAP participants and applicants, surveys of staff who manage students' basic needs, and interviews with postsecondary institutions that are leaders in basic needs support and other state and nonprofit stakeholders. |
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| DOI: | 10.7249/RRA3587-1 |
