Student Basic Needs Coalition

The Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) was founded with a powerful realization: millions of college students across the United States are eligible for critical public benefits like SNAP and Medicaid, yet the vast majority never enroll due to complex bureaucratic rules, social stigma, and administrative barriers that seem designed to discourage applications. The coalition emerged to bridge this gap between eligible students and the resources they desperately need to succeed academically.

Since launching in 2020, SBNC has developed innovative solutions including Navvy, an AI-enabled technology platform that screens students for benefits eligibility and guides them through the enrollment process. The organization partners with colleges and universities nationwide, implementing peer-led outreach programs that leverage the power of student networks to reach those who might otherwise fall through the cracks. Their work addresses food insecurity, housing instability, and the broader web of financial challenges that threaten college completion rates across America.

Operating as a national nonprofit, SBNC mobilizes student leaders across the country to advocate for systemic change while providing immediate, tangible support to individual students. The organization has grown to partner with over 100 campuses, screening more than 50,000 students and connecting them to over $116 million in potential public benefits. Their approach combines technology, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy to create sustainable solutions that address root causes of student poverty.