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When a college student is trying to study for a test, or working toward groundbreaking research, the last thing that should be on their mind is whether they have enough money to eat that day or if they will have somewhere safe to sleep.
Many students struggle with access to housing, food and other basic needs, things that can make or break someone's ability to attend and finish college.
"When your basic needs are unmet, it really takes a lot of energy and it has physiological and psychological impacts that make being a successful student extremely difficult," said Miguel Arellano, the basic needs navigator at Oregon State University. "I see students who after they meet with me, say ‘I don't know if I would be in college without this meeting.’"