SANTA FE – Following a statewide survey that found almost two-thirds of New Mexico college students experience some degree of housing or food insecurity, the New Mexico Higher Education Department is prioritizing new funding for student nutrition, shelter and academic advisement.
The 2023-2024 Student Basic Needs Report, which surveyed almost 10,000 students from more than two dozen higher education institutions throughout the state, found the majority of students reported having experienced both housing insecurity and food insecurity. More than 1 in 10 reported having been homeless within the most recent 12 months, and 2 in 5 reported experiencing “very low” food security, the most severe category. These issues, according to the survey, produced mental health distress and increased the likelihood of students withdrawing from their classes or higher education altogether.
The report — compiled by the University of New Mexico’s Basic Needs Project, the Higher Education Department and Governor’s Food Initiative — has helped to rally higher education institutions throughout the state around the necessity of investing in programs to help students alleviate the burdens of hunger and homelessness and, by extension, attend to their studies.
Members of the Basic Needs Consortium recently completed a statewide tour of eight campuses, where they met with campus leaders and discussed recommendations and strategies for addressing the unique needs of each student body.
Now, in an effort to spearhead support for wraparound and quality-of-life services that benefit students, the Higher Education Department as part of its Fiscal Year 2026 budget request is proposing a new $4 million fund that would support nutrition and shelter programs at New Mexico colleges and universities.
“We greatly look forward to making our case to the Legislature that the Student Retention Fund will have a positive impact on student completion rates in New Mexico,” said Deputy Secretary of Higher Education Patricia Trujillo. “This issue is not unique to our state, but New Mexico is unique in our coordinated response. Students everywhere are struggling to make ends meet in their own lives, and this naturally draws their focus away from where it should be: concentrating on their studies, preparing for careers, and achieving their goals. With funding for campuses to specifically help provide nutritious meals and safe shelter, we will position New Mexico college students to thrive and complete their education, unlocking their full potential.”
“The report reveals a very serious problem, but the New Mexico Basic Needs Consortium is up to solving it,” said Dr. Sarita Cargas, UNM Associate Professor and the director of the Basic Needs Consortium. “It was important to visit colleges across the state and see how the statewide efforts are having impacts already. Every campus is working on some type of intervention, but what the Basic Needs Tour revealed is that only a coordinated response will get at systemic needs.”
An analysis conducted by Dr. Reilly S. White of the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management found massive benefits would result from sustained investments in eliminating the basic need insecurity of college students.
The analysis projected that eliminating basic needs insecurity at New Mexico colleges and universities would result in 3,500 more students achieving graduation each year. These graduates and their projected income would contribute hundreds of millions of dollars over time to New Mexico’s tax base.
Failing to help disadvantaged students achieve stability in their courses of study would result in greater health care burdens for New Mexico and more significant use of government support services later in their lives, according to the analysis, which is attached to this news release.
For more information about the New Mexico Higher Education Department and its programs, visit hed.nm.gov. To learn more about New Mexico’s tuition-free college programs like the Opportunity and Lottery scholarships, visit reachhighernm.com or call the Financial Aid Help Line at (800) 279-9777.