Report on the Effect of COVID-19 on HBCU Students
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Two years later, COVID-19 continues to cause financial hardship for billions across the globe. Many people have lost their jobs, homes and have become infected by the unpredictable virus. In addition, college students were heavily affected by the pandemic, with many not having enough funds to support their basic needs. For HBCUs students, the virus has increased food and housing insecurities.
The Hope Center and Virginia Union University’s Center for the Study of Historically Black Colleges & Universities compiled the “Basic Needs Insecurity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A #RealCollegeHBCU Report” to show the challenges HBCU students faced due to the virus. According to the report, almost 5,000 students from 14 public and private HBCUs participated in the national survey during Fall 2020.
Here’s the results from the survey:
⅔ of students experienced basic needs security
In the last 30 days, 46% of students experienced food insecurity
55% of students experienced housing insecurity in the past year
20% of students had dealt with homelessness in the past year
57% of HBCU students lost their part-time jobs, while 40% lost their full-time positions during the pandemic
8% of students became infected with COVID-19
52% of students knew a friend or family member who became sick with COVID-19
24% of students knew a friend or family member who died from COVID-19
The report proposes an increase in emergency aid to reduce or eradicate food and housing insecurities for HBCU students. According to their survey, only 38% of the students received funding from the CARES Act. In addition, there is a need to increase staffing to assist students in applying for public benefits, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Based on findings from this report, The Hope Center aims to address these issues to help HBCU students receive the support they need to thrive both in and outside of school.
Click here to review the report.