Educating students beyond high school is essential to America’s economic recovery, strength as a democracy, and ability to compete as a global leader. Yet, as higher education has grown in importance, it has become much more difficult to obtain for many students, particularly those with the fewest financial resources. State, federal, and local, and institutional policies have made it harder on students and families by ignoring the new economics of college.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, our nation grapples with longstanding equity disparities that keep students from enrolling in college, earning a credential, and achieving their full potential. Nearly 3 in 5 college students struggle to access basic needs such as food and housing, and millions lack access to essential resources such as healthcare, childcare, transportation, and technology when pursuing a degree or credential.

The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice urges state, federal, and local policymakers to treat students as humans first by helping them afford higher education. We call for major reforms to public benefits to focus on students’ basic needs, significant increases in funding for public higher education and institutions that serve high percentages of students of color, and more equitable design and implementation of financial aid programs.