Americans Believe in the Importance of Student Support Services at Colleges and Universities

Support services at colleges and universities—such as financial aid, academic assistance, health services, and basic needs supports—play a critical role in helping students continue with their studies towards completion. Varying Degrees, New America’s annual survey that seeks to understand public opinion on a variety of higher education issues, asks Americans questions about their thoughts on access and the support services that students need to succeed while enrolled in college. The survey’s results underscore that Americans are concerned about equal opportunity in higher education, and believe in the importance of critical supports to help students succeed.

Latest findings from Varying Degrees show around two thirds of Americans believe that everyone who wants to enroll in higher education has an equal opportunity to do so, and that everyone who enrolls in education beyond high school has an equal opportunity to complete their program (see Figure 1). Majorities of Democrats and Republicans agree, albeit at different levels: while three in four Republicans (74 percent) think that everyone who wishes to enroll in higher education has an equal opportunity to do so, only six in ten Democrats (60 percent) agree. Additionally, 77 percent of Republicans believe that everyone who enrolls in higher education has an equal opportunity to complete their program of study, compared to 63 percent of Democrats.

Slightly more than half of Americans (56 percent) believe that about half of students who enroll in colleges or universities are completing their programs of study (see Figure 2). When asked about the single main reason that prohibits students from either enrolling in or completing their program of study, we find that 62 percent of Americans indicate cost as the biggest barrier: with Democrats (66 percent) being more likely than Republicans (56 percent) to believe so (see Figure 3).

Research that looks into the issue of low completion rate suggests that colleges need to provide students with support to help them continue their study and get across the finish line. Some of the most common support services are those that address students’ academic and financial needs. Strong majorities of Americans believe that students need academic support (83 percent), career-related support (86 percent), and financial aid (86 percent) from their colleges and universities to succeed (see Figure 4). These supports are critical—in fact, existing research highlights how career counseling can push students to be proactive and adaptable in their post-graduation job searches. Across all three of these support services, majorities of Democrats and Republicans agree that these services are essential for student success.

Support services go beyond just academic and financial assistance, though. Other questions ask about assistance for student health and wellbeing, finding that roughly three in four Americans think that students need health services (74 percent) and mental health services (74 percent) from their colleges and universities (see Figure 5). Mental health services in particular help students improve their academic performance, regulate their emotions, personally grow, access professional support, and reduce the stigma associated with asking for help. Varying Degrees finds that Democrats strongly support the idea of students receiving health services (87 percent) and mental health services (88 percent) on campus. Although Republicans agree with these ideas at much lower rates than Democrats, majorities still believe that support in these areas is needed.

In recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges and universities have also worked to address students’ basic needs such as housing and food security. Eight in ten Americans (81 percent) believe that students need secure housing from their institution, and seven in ten (70 percent) think that students need their college or university’s support in reaching food security (see Figure 6). Over the years, many higher education institutions have promoted food security through the building of food pantries and the implementation of food swipe donations on their campuses. A majority of Democrats and Republicans believe that students need both secure housing (87 percent and 78 percent, respectively) and food security (81 percent and 61 percent, respectively) from their college or university. Another question asks if students need assistance in covering their transportation expenses, finding that 58 percent of Americans agree.

When asked if students need on-campus childcare from their colleges and universities, a little over half of Americans (54 percent) agree (see Figure 7). As student parents seek to enroll in higher education programs, it is worth noting that on-campus childcare can provide this population with greater flexibility to attend classes, programming, and events. The survey finds that Democrats (67 percent) are much more likely than Republicans (44 percent) to believe that students need on-campus childcare at their colleges and universities.

Americans are in favor of making these services available to help students complete their programs. When asked if colleges and universities should provide adequate support services for students who need them, a strong majority of Americans (88 percent) endorse this idea (see Figure 8). This support remains strong across party lines, with 96 percent of Democrats and 85 percent of Republicans in agreement. Another survey question asks if state and federal governments should ensure they are providing adequate funding for support services, finding that eight in ten Americans (79 percent) agree. This question receives bipartisan support, although at different levels: nine in ten Democrats (93 percent), compared to two in three Republicans (67 percent) endorsing this idea.

This is critical to note as colleges that serve the highest share of low-income and underserved students that need the most support to complete, such as community colleges or minority-serving institutions (MSIs), often lack the capacity to sufficiently assist their students. Additional funding from the federal and state governments will, therefore, provide essential resources so that these institutions can better support their students. The Department of Education, however, recently announced that they will end discretionary grant programs for MSIs, which will undoubtedly deal a financial blow to these colleges, hindering their efforts to help students get to the finish line.

Varying Degrees show that a strong majority of Americans value the support services that help students persist to completion. These services, which take many shapes, are essential in helping underserved student populations—such as students of color, first-generation, low-income, and rural students—stay enrolled in and complete their academic programs.