#RealCollege Survey.pdf

50% of respondents experienced food insecurity in the prior 30 days.
60% of respondents experienced housing insecurity in the previous year.
19% of respondents were homeless in the previous year.
Rates of basic needs insecurity vary by region, with the highest incidence in Northern Coastal, Northern Inland, and Greater Sacramento regions.
Marginalized students, including African Americans, LGBTQ students, and independent students, are at higher risk of basic needs insecurity.
Working during college and receiving the federal Pell Grant are not associated with lower risk of basic needs insecurity.

Survey Methodology:

The survey was administered to nearly half of the schools in the California Community College system in 2016 and 2018.
Almost 40,000 students participated in the survey.
The survey used the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 18-item set of questions to assess food security.

Student Experiences:

Over half of survey respondents worried about running out of food or could not afford to eat balanced meals.
41% of respondents reported skipping meals or cutting the size of their meals for financial reasons.
12% of respondents reported not eating for at least one whole day during the prior month due to lack of money.

Utilization of Public Assistance:

Many students are not utilizing public benefits programs, such as SNAP (CalFresh in California), despite being eligible.
The GAO estimates that 57% of students at risk of food insecurity and eligible for SNAP did not collect those benefits.