College completion remains one of the most powerful drivers of women’s social and economic mobility. Yet in 2025, rising housing costs, cuts in federal assistance, and widening inequality make it increasingly hard for many students to stay enrolled. The picture is even starker for women, students of color, and those from low-income families, who face higher rates of housing and basic needs insecurity than their peers. National surveys such as the Hope Center’s Basic Needs Survey point to a growing housing crisis that threatens access to higher education—and with it, future opportunity—for those already most at risk. Our data echo national findings: housing insecurity is a pervasive barrier to college success.

The LCU Fund conducts its own research every three years through the LCU Scholar and Alumna Survey; this report presents findings from the survey’s third cycle, conducted online in summer 2025. We asked all current and prior grantees for whom we had active email addresses to participate (approx. 33% of funded scholars). The survey was completed by 91 current scholars and 161 program alumnae, with an overall response rate of 19%. The survey questions touched on themes of educational attainment, employment, income, expenses, unmet needs, and community engagement.