One in three college students face food insecurity. This insecurity disproportionately affects historically underrepresented student groups, including international students. Additionally, more than one million international college students live in the U.S., making up six percent of the total student body. Recognizing this, we proudly award a Michelson Spark Grant to Swipe Out Hunger who, over the next year, will develop a toolkit and virtual training to help campuses support international students navigating food insecurity. 

How Swipe Out Hunger’s Toolkit Empowers Campuses to Support International Students

This Spark Grant will create a comprehensive toolkit outlining the international student experience and best practices. The toolkit is particularly needed because international students cannot receive most U.S.-based public benefits. Swipe Out Hunger will also offer monthly educational panel discussions, called Swipe Sessions. These sessions will feature staff and students, who will share insights and real-world examples from campuses across the country. By the end of the year, more than 860 campuses, administrators, and advocates will have access to the knowledge and resources to help international students meet their basic needs. 

Addressing the Growing Need for Targeted Support for International Students

Swipe Out Hunger’s data shows that international students are 14% of the students who use their on-campus food resources. This project responds to the growing demand for support of international students, who face unique barriers to obtaining their next meal. “Many campuses see firsthand how crucial it is to address the needs of international students,” said Dr. Queena Hoang, Senior Program Manager for Student Basic Needs. “This toolkit will equip institutions to meet those needs effectively, fostering a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.”

The project will also aid other student groups who cannot access public benefits. These students include undocumented students as well as those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)mented/Dreamers status. The toolkit will help campuses provide a wider range of services and resources to students who are often left behind by traditional aid systems. In doing so, Swipe Out Hunger will directly help thousands of students across the country.

How Swipe Out Hunger Leads the Way in Food Insecurity Solutions

With years of experience working directly with students and administrators, Swipe Out Hunger has built a robust network of nearly 1,000 campuses. This national network allows the organization to identify the emerging needs of students and tailor impactful solutions. Through its Student Advisory and Leadership Council, Swipe Out Hunger ensures that student voices are at the heart of its initiatives. 

“Food insecurity doesn’t discriminate. It affects students from all backgrounds, including international students who fall through traditional aid systems,” Dr. Hoang shared. “This project empowers campus leaders to address gaps and ensure all students, regardless of status, have the resources they need to succeed.” By improving support systems, Swipe Out Hunger is setting a precedent for campus communities to rethink how they address basic needs.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

By Dr. Queena Hoang

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to highlight healthy eating’s critical role in our lives. For college students, nutrition isn’t just sustenance—it fuels the mind for academic success and bodily well-being. Food insecurity—defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food—plagues many college students. It makes nutritious meals harder to access. A new study by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research (CHPR) found:

• 50% of surveyed California college students experienced food insecurity, including 28% who skipped meals due to cost.
• Over 70% of students at California community colleges reported food insecurity, followed by >50% of Cal State students and 42% of UC students.
• Among food-insecure students who heard of CalFresh but never used it, the main reasons were believing they were ineligible (50.3%), not knowing how to apply (27.8%), and lacking time to apply (14.4%).

Food Insecurity on College Campuses

Not only during National Nutrition Month but also throughout the year, food insecurity—the lack of consistent access to healthy foods—has impacted college campuses for years. Recently it has worsened due to rising prices. Good nutrition may be affordable for some, but healthy choices come at a hefty price for others. UCLA also found that hunger and food insecurity are significantly higher among college students (44%) than U.S. households (13%). Stress over not knowing where their next meal will come from can lead to poor academic performance. It can also cause increased mental health issues, and the tough choice between food and a college degree. Without proper nutrition, students struggle to concentrate, retain information, and sustain the energy to succeed. 

The Importance of SNAP Benefits

CalFresh, California’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), plays a crucial role in addressing food insecurity. It provides monthly electronic benefits to low-income households to purchase food. CalFresh benefits help students buy fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other essentials for a balanced diet. By easing grocery expenses, CalFresh enables students to focus on their studies instead of their next meal.

California has worked to help more eligible students receive CalFresh, such as by funding Basic Needs Centers for sign-up. However, efforts are hampered by a lack of understanding about eligibility and participation. Researchers from the California Policy Lab found that among students who were estimated to be eligible for CalFresh benefits, 26% of community college students received CalFresh benefits in the Fall of 2019. That is compared to 22% of UC undergraduate students and 27% of UC graduate students. This means about 100,600 students received CalFresh benefits, while an estimated 297,400 eligible students missed out on benefits, based on the California Policy Lab’s research. 

Advocacy and Awareness

In the last few years, California has provided funding for county human services agency liaisons to increase campus-county collaboration (Assembly Bill 1326). The state has also required colleges to provide information on CalFresh as part of their new student orientation (AB 543). Additionally, there is a mandate for a uniform template for colleges to use to notify students of their eligibility for CalFresh (SB 20). The state has also funded basic needs centers at community colleges (SB 129) and expanded the set of programs that count toward the “local programs to increase employability” exemption (AB 396), as the California Policy Labs reported. 

Despite the benefits and efforts, many eligible students remain unaware of CalFresh or hesitant to apply due to stigma or the belief that others are more in need. Higher education and community organizations can raise awareness, simplifying the application process, and advocate for policies that expand eligibility. Campus food pantries, nutrition workshops, and peer support programs can complement CalFresh benefits, creating a holistic approach to food insecurity.

This National Nutrition Month, let’s commit to ensuring all students have access to the nutrition they need to succeed. Supporting CalFresh and other food security initiatives invests in the future of our communities—one well-nourished mind at a time.

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About Michelson 20MM

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

In a state where over 50% of community college students face housing or food insecurity,  creating system solutions is vital. These solutions must address student basic needs challenges in higher education. To combat this, the 2024 Student Basic Needs Spark Grants funding cycle focuses on innovative strategies that advance student basic needs in California. 

2024 Student Basic Needs Focus Areas

In order to drive a scalable impact within the communities we serve, the funding cycle emphasizes the following areas: 

• Systemic approaches and actionable strategies for higher education systems to implement state and/or federal policies addressing student housing and food insecurity. 
• Best practices to support students who are ineligible for public benefits, state aid, and federal aid. Students ineligible for state or federal aid can include but are not limited to, undocumented students, DACAmented/Dreamers, and/or international students. 

Innovative approaches and promising practices to promote positive academic outcomes for students receiving direct financial assistance aimed at mitigating student basic needs concerns. This could include research, evaluation, or efforts that scale the impact of public benefits assistance, tax credits for eligible students, universal basic income, guaranteed income programs, and approaches to liquidating institutional Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) dollars. 

Meet the Spark Community Advisors

No one knows the needs of a community better than those with boots on the ground. Recognizing this, we proudly introduce an incredible group of advisors, who provided insights to help students meet their basic needs. Their expertise and dedication informed strategies that promote equity, support for vulnerable populations, and innovative approaches to improving academic outcomes. 

This community of advisors plays a critical role in shaping actionable strategies. These strategies align with our key focus areas for this funding cycle, including implementing state and federal policies, supporting students ineligible for financial assistance, and scaling impactful financial assistance programs. Together, they help build a future where all students can thrive academically, regardless of their basic needs challenges.

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About Michelson 20MM

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Student Basic Needs Spark Grantees! California Competes: Higher Education for a Strong Economy, the Real College California Coalition, and Swipe Out Hunger will advance systemic solutions to address students’ most urgent needs. As higher education becomes increasingly financially burdensome, it’s crucial that we focus on helping students meet their basic needs.

“The three grantees will create lasting change by tackling food and housing insecurity at a systemic level,” said Dr. Queena Hoang, Senior Program Manager for Student Basic Needs. “By addressing basic needs, they will improve student success, retention, and graduation rates. We are proud to support their efforts to ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive.”

California Competes will break down barriers that prevent eligible students from accessing public benefits, such as CalFresh and Medi-Cal. Building on their ongoing work, the first stage of the “Linking Benefits and Data to Support the Whole Student” project will focus on researching available benefits programs and ways to leverage the Cradle-to-Career Data System to streamline benefits access. These efforts will set the foundation for California Competes to establish a basic needs coalition. By focusing on holistic integration across systems and coalition-driven advocacy, their project will enhance student success while helping low-income and underserved students. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, the project will engage key stakeholders from higher education, public benefits, and community organizations to create a sustainable, student-centered model. 

The Real College California Coalition (RCCC) will continue the Real College California Survey on the Real Experience of College Students in March. Conducted every two years, the 2023 survey was the largest national study on student basic needs. The survey assesses food and housing insecurities, as well as homelessness among California Community College (CCC) students. This year, RCC aims to increase college participation and student responses. Additionally, they will provide real-time data dashboards, customizable engagement tools, and professional development resources to colleges. Once the data has been collected, survey results will improve programs and help CCCs advocate for more investment in basic needs services. The survey will be made possible by RCCC teaming up with the CEO Affordability, Food, and Housing Access Taskforce (AFHAT) and the RP Group.

Swipe Out Hunger works with over 860 campuses nationwide on food insecurity. In their network, they’ve found international students represent 14% of food pantry users. Nationally, international students make up 6% of higher education students, with California hosting the largest number. Due to their ineligibility for state or federal benefits, international students often rely on on-campus resources including food pantries. Recognizing this, Swipe Out Hunger will develop a toolkit and virtual training providing actionable solutions for campuses to better serve these students. By sharing best practices and successful strategies, the project will create a sustainable model for supporting international students across campuses. 

“California Competes, the Real College California Coalition, and Swipe Out Hunger are leading the way in creating lasting change for students across the state and beyond,” Dr. Hoang reflected. With a focus on collaboration, data-driven solutions, and inclusive support, these efforts will enhance student success while contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future. We look forward to sharing more in the year ahead!

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About Michelson 20MM

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

The Michelson 20MM Foundation is proud to announce the second cohort of the California Student Parent Pooled Fund, a transformative effort designed to support student parents. This initiative aims to promote equity, drive systemic change, and empower this often underrepresented group. 

The Need: Setting Student Parents Up for a Brighter Future

Parenting students make up 22% of undergraduate students, underscoring the importance of tailored support systems. Student parents—primarily people of color, women, and individuals facing financial challenges—often encounter significant obstacles that hinder their ability to complete their degrees. This project aims to address these barriers and foster their success in higher education. 

Grantmaking Priorities for a Multi-Generational Approach

Housed at Michelson 20MM, the California Student Parent Pooled Fund is a collaboration between multiple funders focused on supporting student-parent work in our state.

Focusing on a multi-generational strategy, the fund supports student parents and their children by integrating best practices in early childhood and postsecondary education. It aims to empower advocates while fostering a cohesive, unified approach to student-parent initiatives across California. Grant priorities center on research, movement building, education, awareness, narrative shifts, and policy development. 

Introducing the Second Cohort 

We are pleased to welcome this year’s cohort!

The California State University Office of the Chancellor will develop a strategic task force to expand resources for student parents across the CSU system. Over a three-year period, the initiative will provide a comprehensive toolkit, an implementation plan for toolkit rollout, and an evaluation of all student-parent resource experiences across the CSU system.  

Early Edge California will expand efforts on its multi-year project, Increasing Access to Childcare and Early Learning Programs for Student Parents in California. The project will leverage partnerships and educate policymakers on the unique challenges and needs of student parents.

Generation Hope’s California Presidents Circle will engage higher education leaders to create family-inclusive campuses through skill-building, mentorship, and systemic change projects benefiting 30,000 parenting students statewide. Rooted in the lived experience of student parents, their efforts will support the expansion of family-serving institutions. 

The Pregnant Scholar is committed to strengthening state-level protections for pregnant and parenting students. This initiative will draw attention to the critical need for legal protections in California via blogs, articles, and a detailed report. It will also elevate the perspectives of student parents, unite with gender justice partners, and offer institutions practical policies and interim guidance.

Join us in celebrating these initiatives, which will generate change across California and create opportunities for student parents. Thank you to our funding partners: California Community Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, ECMC Foundation, Lumina Foundation, R&S Kayne Foundation, Stupski Foundation, and The Ichigo Foundation. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of student parents in California. 

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

By Evelyn Lucho

Students of color at four-year institutions often feel less of a sense of belonging on campus. In California, the K-12 Healthy Kids Survey found Black students are more than twice as likely as white peers to report low school connectedness. Additionally, Black parents make up a disproportionate share of the parenting student population, highlighting the urgent need to address their experiences and sense of belonging. 

Understanding this, on December 12th, the Michelson 20MM Foundation hosted “The State of Pregnant and Parenting Students in California: Fostering a Sense of Belonging at CSUs.” Isaac Alferos, Melissa Valenzuela-Stookey, and Maya Valree of EdTrust-West previewed key findings from their “Sense of Belonging” survey, while Jordan Calley added her perspective as a student parent.

What Is Belonging, and Why Is It Important? 

The webinar explored the sense of belonging among parenting students, examining whether they feel integral parts of their campus identity. Research from EdTrust West emphasized the benefits of fostering belonging, including how being a parent strengthens students. Parenting students reported better time management, self-determination, a desire to be role models for their children, and increased motivation—all leading to better academic outcomes.

“There was a very clear articulation of skills and competencies that help someone thrive in a college environment, being gained and built upon because they are a parent,” said Melissa Valenzuela-Stookey, director of P-16 research at EdTrust-West.

The data also revealed how well parenting students’ needs are being met and identified gaps that institutions can address. Nearly three in four respondents felt included on campus, but the picture shifted when focusing on their identity as student parents. Over half felt uncertain about belonging, and nearly half felt they did not fit in when considering their role as student parents. These findings highlight the need to address the unique challenges parenting students face to support their success.

The study also examined how parenting students access information about resources and policies to support their success and belonging. Respondents most often cited the need for clearer, more accessible resources. Less than half could easily find information about support for student parents, revealing a significant gap in awareness.

The findings showed most parenting students were unaware of campus resources like priority access, financial assistance, off-campus childcare, and parenting classes. This disconnect can isolate parenting students and undermine their sense of belonging on campus. When students can’t easily access resources meant to support them, it sends the message that their needs are unprioritized, making it harder to feel valued on campus. Improving the visibility and accessibility of information is crucial to fostering a stronger sense of belonging and ensuring parenting students receive the support they need to thrive. 

How Can We Support Parenting Students?

Creating supportive policies and resources is key to fostering parenting students’ sense of belonging on campus. Respondents emphasized that clear policies regarding minors on campus are essential to eliminate ambiguity for students, staff, and faculty. Student parents recommend adding a family-friendly syllabus statement to help parenting students feel acknowledged and valued. 

“A sense of belonging (to me) means that I’m allowed to show up every day as my authentic self and embrace my role and identity as a parent, and those experiences, without feeling othered or judged… It also means acknowledging that student parents exist and that our participation on campus is welcome and valid,” said Jordan Calley, a student parent at San Francisco State University.

State policymakers must prioritize and allocate funds to develop or expand family-friendly spaces and resources on campuses. These resources include childcare centers, family resource centers, lactation spaces, changing tables, and 24-hour family-friendly study rooms.

As emphasized during the discussion, “those closest to the issues intuitively know the solutions.” Centering policies and practices on parenting students’ voices and experiences is key to bridging gaps in support, affirming their place within the campus community, and strengthening their sense of belonging.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here. 

By Dr. Queena Hoang

In 2024, the Michelson 20MM Foundation’s Student Basic Needs Initiative sought to increase persistence and graduation rates by driving systems change, conducting research, and identifying policies to support student basic needs.

As we continued the Michelson Pregnant and Parenting Student Project, a platform designed to increase support of California’s pregnant and parenting postsecondary students, we celebrated the following successes:

Highlighting the “State of Pregnant and Parenting Students in California”

A Look at the Major Strides AB 2881 Has Made for Student Parents

Assemblymember Marc Berman authored AB 2881, which Michelson 20MM’s sister organization the Michelson Center for Public Policy co-sponsored. Its passage represents major progress in serving nearly half a million student parents across California’s higher education systems. 

The bill’s author participated in our California State University (CSU) Student Parent Network to share insight on progress and implementation. Assemblymember Berman emphasized how the bill is designed to remove the barriers inhibiting academic success and degree attainment for student parents in our community colleges, CSUs, and UCs. In addition to bringing greater attention to their needs, the law grants priority registration for student parents and requires campuses to establish a student-parent webpage. It also necessitates that campuses provide more information to student parents about the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

Due to its importance, Michelson 20MM hosted two webinars to highlight the impacts of this bill post-implementation. The webinars discussed key takeaways and lessons learned from practitioners and student parents who have benefited from it. 

Passage of a New Law 

This year marked another pivotal time for student parents in California. On September 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2458, the Greater Accessibility, Information, Notice, and Support (GAINS) for Student Parents Act. It helps ensure 400,000+ student parents and their children are set on clearer paths to college success and multigenerational prosperity. 

The act was co-authored by Assemblymembers Berman, Arambula, and Boerner, along with Senators Ashby and Limón. Co-sponsored by the Michelson Center for Public Policy, the law is the first of its kind in the nation and a major victory for higher education equity. As a result, student parents will have enhanced financial aid access, institutions will automatically adjust a student parent’s cost of attendance to account for expenses such as childcare, campuses will uniformly collect and report data on student parents, and that data will be included in the Cradle to Career longitudinal data system. 

Launching the Michelson 20MM California Student Parent Pooled Fund 

In a landmark initiative to champion the needs of student parents, the Michelson 20MM Foundation was proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the California Student Parent Pooled Fund. 

The groundbreaking endeavor addresses the unique challenges student parents face, promoting equity and systemic change for this often overlooked demographic. Our inaugural cohort included the following organizations: Early Edge California, Northwestern University, Three Frame Media, and Urban Institute. 

Advancing a Sense of Belonging for Student Parents on Campus

In partnership with The Education Trust—West, we launched the CSU Student Parents Sense of Belonging Survey. The goal of the project is to increase understanding of and transparency around parenting students’ experiences and sense of belonging across the CSU system. 

Later this week, Michelson 20MM, together with The Education Trust—West, will host “The State of Pregnant and Parenting Students in California: Fostering a Sense of Belonging at CSUs.” The event will dive into the report’s key preliminary findings. We hope that the report will help uplift promising practices and supports that foster and sustain a sense of belonging for parenting students. The goal is that institutions across the CSUs incorporate the practices within their own campuses.

Forging Multigenerational Supports for Student Parents and Their Families

This fall, we were proud to host the second annual “Forging Equitable Futures for Student Parents: A Statewide Summit.” The two-day event began at Regal LA Live on September 5th with a keynote address from Assemblymember Marc Berman. As he stated, “helping student parents will have a multiplier effect.” 

The evening featured a screening of “Raising Up,” a five-part docuseries investigating the barriers students face when pursuing higher education. It also showcases the innovative leaders creating generational impact. Day two of the event featured attendees including advocates, practitioners, philanthropists, systems leaders, student parents, and allies from all across the state to learn about evidence-based examples of success stories and build connections to sustain this growing movement. 

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, we are committed to driving multigenerational change at the micro level within families. At the same time, we will inspire systems change within California’s higher education ecosystem and policy change at the state level. Michelson 20MM is excited to formally work with and support the CSU Chancellor’s Office to implement a systemwide initiative in support of pregnant and parenting students across all 23 campuses. 

For student parents and their families, we hope to strengthen and create postsecondary and employment and workforce pathways. This will break intergenerational cycles of poverty and forge futures filled with economic opportunity and prosperity. Throughout the process, we’ll source solutions from student parents and the many advocates who have championed the importance of this work.

In closing, thank you to our partners, fellow advocates, and student parents for their unwavering support in driving these vital initiatives forward. Together, we are shaping a more equitable future for student parents and their families. We look forward to continuing this work with you into 2025. If you would like to get involved, please contact Dr. Queena Hoang, Student Basic Needs Senior Program Manager.

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About the Michelson 20MM Foundation

Michelson 20MM is a private, nonprofit foundation working toward equity for underserved and historically underrepresented communities by expanding access to educational and employment opportunities, increasing affordability of educational programs, and ensuring the necessary supports are in place for individuals to thrive. To do so, we work in the following verticals: Digital Equity, Intellectual Property, Smart Justice, Student Basic Needs, and Open Educational Resources (OER). Co-chaired and funded by Alya and Gary Michelson, Michelson 20MM is part of the Michelson Philanthropies network of foundations.

To sign up for our newsletter, click here.