Document Author: Sara Goldrick-Rab

Basic needs insecurity is widespread in higher education. While the number and types of corresponding support services are growing, staff capacity lags far behind. At most institutions, the ratio of basic needs practitioners to students is low, contributing to students’ lack of awareness and use of existing services. Technology has the potential to help practitioners inform and support far more students with basic needs services. Still, the extent to which technology tools are used and are suitable for basic needs work is unknown. After learning about this informational gap from frontline practitioners, Sara Goldrick-Rab created a Basic Needs Technology survey to inform the field and identify new opportunities.

She distributed the survey via social media and professional networks between May and July 2025. Ninety basic needs practitioners at higher education institutions across 17 different states responded, with the strongest representation from Washington (28%), California (12%), and Texas (11%). Washington and California were the first in the nation to fund basic needs practitioner roles on college campuses, and thus, a disproportionate number are employed there.

This initial report outlines the survey’s primary results.