Detroit City Wire

Food insecurity is a significant challenge for college students in Michigan, affecting their academic performance and well-being. According to the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s Student Basic Needs Task Force, 20% of undergraduate students in the state have experienced low or very low food security in the past month. However, only a small portion of these students accessed food benefits like SNAP.

Many college students are balancing work, family responsibilities, and coursework. The pressures are greater for first-generation students, adult learners, and those who are parents. These groups face higher risks related to meeting basic needs such as food.

Efforts like the Detroit Area Talent Fund aim to address these challenges by providing emergency financial assistance. In Spring 2024, more than 1,200 postsecondary students in Detroit received emergency grants through this fund. Two years later, 84% of these recipients had either graduated or were still enrolled in school. For Detroit Promise scholarship recipients from Winter 2024, 37% have earned a degree and 39% remain enrolled as of Winter 2025. Graduation or continued enrollment rates stand at 85% for four-year institution students and 65% for two-year institution students.

The press release states: "Addressing food insecurity is not just about meeting a basic need – it’s about ensuring students can focus on their studies, persist through challenges, and ultimately graduate." It also notes that supporting basic student needs is vital as Michigan's workforce increasingly demands postsecondary credentials.

Colleges in Southeast Michigan are responding by establishing dedicated food pantries and resource centers that provide nutritious food, hygiene products, and emergency aid to help students manage issues beyond academics.