Meet Learners’ Basic Needs

Learners’ education is impacted by their societal and community context and mental and physical health. Many learners, especially those who are not receiving financial support from their families or those who are making a career shift, may face financial insecurity while pursuing postsecondary education and training. As learners and workers face a rising cost of living, growing personal debt, and mismatched housing supply, concerns about affording essential goods and services are top of mind while considering options for education, training, service, and career after high school.1 When learners are experiencing food or housing insecurity, transportation disruptions, or health challenges, they are more likely to be absent from class or work and stop or drop out of their program.2