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College Is So Expensive that Students Cannot Afford Food

It’s no secret that costs of college education rise. Students have to pay for tuition, board and room. They also need to buy textbooks that cost more every year. All these expenses make students worry, trying to save money and buy less food.

This year, thousands of college students in different states have troubles with buying food. It turns out that food becomes a sort of luxury for students, so many of them even skip meals during a day.

According to The Hechinger Report publication, average charges in universities and colleges are equal to $4,500. It means that if a student wants to have three meals a day, he or she must spend $18.75. These figures exceed those reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, that calculated average expenses at the level of $11, for a single American citizen.

Another study devoted to higher education was recently published by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab. This organization is focused on increasing the economic equity. Results of this research were horrible. The study considered 66 colleges and universities in 20 states. It turns out that 36% of 43,000 students are food insecure. As for community colleges, this share is even bigger — 42%.

According to Sara Goldrick-Rab from Temple University, there are many students whose level of income is rather low, and effects of food insecurity for them vary. Their test scores and their grades become lower, therefore decreasing their chances of graduating. They need to struggle against poverty until they get a degree.

The Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition also published a study that revealed shocking details about the situation in California. In the University of California, 40% of students told that they were experiencing food insecurity.

Many experts notice that such a sad situation affects students’ performance, so now colleges are making attempts to help those in need. The Oregon State University Food Pantry and the Michigan State Student Food Bank decided to combine their efforts to create the College and University Food Bank Alliance. 613 universities and colleges are currently members of this alliance, fighting poverty among students and solving the problem of food insecurity. They provide low-income students with resources and hope for the best.