Skip to main content

CHEPP Highlights Policy Solutions to Better Support Students’ Basic Needs

Research supports increasing college basic needs support to improve student success.
Siobhan Lopez
New from CHEPP, the Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice.

The Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice (CHEPP) at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has published a new fact sheet, Basic Needs Gaps Increase the Risk of College Stop Outs, examining how rising living costs and unmet basic needs, such as food, housing, transportation, and childcare, expand an affordability gap for today’s learners. These challenges may cause some students to pause or discontinue their education before earning a degree which can leave them with student debt they may struggle to pay back.

CHEPP’s research and reports are designed to inform policy discussions and support efforts to remove systemic barriers to student success. CHEPP regularly engages policymakers and higher education leaders to advance policies that address students’ basic needs, aiming to create equitable pathways to credential completion and economic mobility.

CHEPP’s basic needs fact sheet takes a closer look at affordability issues and provides clear, actionable policy recommendations.

Three actions policymakers can take to help today’s learners:

CHEPP’s research also features real-life stories from institutions like SNHU. One highlighted case shares the story of, Paloma, an SNHU graduate who balanced multiple jobs and faced housing instability during her journey to her degree, illustrating the challenges that rising living costs pose to students trying to complete their education.

More details can be found in CHEPP’s recent blog post, Addressing the Rising Cost of Learner’s Basic Needs.

Siobhan Lopez is a former journalist, who is now the director of media relations at Southern New Hampshire University.

Explore more content like this article

SNHU Campus Green Space

SNHU Advances Workforce Skilling with New Professional Skills Microcredentials

SNHU Briefs
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is expanding access to accelerated, immersive, and personalized professional learning through its Professional Skills microcredentials designed to help working adults build in-demand skills quickly and immediately apply them in the workplace.
Dr. Kevin Wright, adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) and ACPA Diamond Honoree.

SNHU’s Dr. Kevin Wright Recognized as ACPA Foundation Diamond Honoree

SNHU Briefs
Dr. Kevin Wright, an adjunct instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), was recently honored with an award from ACPA - College Student Educators International. As a 2026 Diamond Honoree, Wright was recognized for his work in justice, equity and inclusion.
SNHU Campus Green Space

SNHU Launches Innovative 3-Year Business Degree as Part of New Campus-Based Program Expansion

SNHU Briefs
Southern New Hampshire University is unveiling a slate of new campus-based academic programs designed to accelerate student success and meet workforce demand in some of today’s fastest-growing industries.

About Southern New Hampshire University

Two students walking in front of Monadnock Hall

SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs. Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.