The Silent Dropout Risk That's Hard to Spot: Food and Housing Insecurity

College should be a time of academic exploration and personal growth, but for many students, it’s also a time of survival.

Food and housing insecurity, once assumed to be rare among college students, are now pressing and pervasive issues. Academic advisors, who are often the first consistent point of contact for students, have a vital role to play in identifying and addressing basic needs challenges. Supporting students holistically means understanding that academic success is closely tied to whether students have enough to eat and a safe place to sleep.

Context

A growing body of research confirms what many advisors already see on a daily basis: food and housing insecurity are not isolated issues, but widespread challenges affecting student success.

According to the Hope Center’s survey, more than 40% of students at two-year institutions and over 30% at four-year institutions reported experiencing food insecurity in the prior 30 days. Even more striking, 14% of community college students and 11% of university students reported experiencing homelessness in the previous year.

Food and housing insecurity are directly correlated with lower GPAs, higher dropout rates, and worse mental health outcomes. Students experiencing basic needs insecurity are less likely to graduate, especially if they don’t have access to institutional resources or a support system to help them navigate these challenges. (Related Reading: The Future of Pell Grants is Uncertain)

Advisors can be key to helping students persist through these barriers by recognizing signs, initiating conversations, and connecting students to campus and community resources.

Practical Strategies for Advisors

1. Normalize the Conversation

Students often feel embarrassed to talk about food or housing struggles. Advisors can reduce this stigma by including basic needs questions in regular check-ins. Try saying:

"A lot of my students right now are dealing with high costs and rising rents. Do you feel like you have access to everything you need to be successful, like food, stable housing, and internet access?"

Make it a regular part of advising appointments, just like questions about course schedules or academic goals. Worksheets and screening documents can help to start this conversation.

2. Know Campus Resources

Advisors should be familiar with on-campus supports such as:

• Campus food pantries

• Emergency housing or short-term shelter partnerships

• Emergency aid or grant programs

• Student support services and case management offices

• Local nonprofit or community-based services

Keep an updated list of referrals and know the eligibility criteria and processes. When your next staff meeting is coming up, invite leader from these offices so you're up to date on their offerins, processes, and contact information.

3. Collaborate with Basic Needs Teams

Many institutions are developing Basic Needs Centers or Student Wellness Hubs. Advisors should be looped into these efforts. Attend trainings, join committees, form a community of practice, and advocate for integrating basic needs into advising systems.

4. Be Trauma-Informed and Empathetic

Students struggling with food or housing insecurity often face compounding trauma. Advisors should approach conversations with empathy and without judgment. Small gestures of kindness and support can help students feel safe and seen.

5. Advocate for Institutional Change

Beyond individual appointments, advisors can advocate for systemic and continuous improvements. Encourage your institution to conduct basic needs assessments, expand emergency funding, or streamline support services. Collect data in your area, such as impactful student stories that can put a face on the problem. Your insights from the frontlines are powerful in shaping institutional priorities.

Conclusion

Food and housing insecurity are not “extra” issues, but central to student retention and success. Advisors who are equipped to identify, address, and refer students in need are essential contributors to equity, persistence, and graduation. Let’s make sure our advising practice meets students where they are and helps them meet their most fundamental needs.