Report: Targeted support, belonging initiatives key for financially insecure students

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new report from Penn State’s Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) highlights the role colleges and universities can play in improving student outcomes by identifying financial insecurity early, and building coordinated support systems across counseling centers, academic units and community partners.

Drawing from a national sample of treatment‑seeking students at college counseling centers, the 2025 CCMH Annual Report found that over a quarter of students initiate services with one or more areas of financial insecurity. Difficulty paying for basic needs is considerably more prevalent among older learners, fifth‑year and beyond undergraduates, and first‑generation students. Students reporting basic‑needs challenges are more likely to be employed and work extended hours, less engaged in extracurricular activities, and experience higher levels of psychological distress.

“The report shows that financial insecurity is experienced by a notable proportion of students who are seeking counseling services across the country, which can be associated with numerous additional challenges,” said Brett Scofield, executive director of the Center for Collegiate Mental Health. “But it also highlights an important path forward: when institutions proactively identify basic‑needs concerns and connect students with targeted support, outcomes can improve across the board.”

CCMH, a national research center and international practice-research network (PRN) of more than 800 college and university counseling centers that brings together clinical work, research and technology, urges institutions to adopt a whole‑campus approach that integrates mental health care with practical supports and community partnerships.

Recommended actions for universities to take include:

Assess early, act quickly

• Incorporate financial‑needs screening at intake in counseling centers and allied services (e.g., case management, psychiatry, advising).

• Use screening results to shape case conceptualizations, treatment plans, and recommendations that address both psychological distress and basic‑needs barriers.

“Assessing financial insecurity at the start of counseling services is essential,” Scofield said. “Financial challenges often present as psychological symptoms that counseling centers can address, but identifying these factors early allows clinicians to do more than treat distress. It enables them to connect students with resources that reduce financial strain, support emotional well-being, and foster a sense of community and belonging — especially for those navigating a very different collegiate experience than their financially secure peers.”

Coordinate care across departments

• Establish streamlined referral pathways across students’ networks, from counseling centers and financial aid, to academic advising and student housing.

• Create collaborative case management that tracks referrals and closes loops so students don’t have to navigate complex systems alone.

Strengthen belonging initiatives

• Expand peer and affinity‑based programming for first‑generation students, adult learners and students in extended undergraduate pathways (5+ years).

• Offer low‑time‑commitment engagement opportunities to accommodate students working longer hours, helping them maintain community ties.

Invest in supports that meet basic needs

• Scale campus food pantries, school supplies closets, professional attire closets, emergency grants and transportation assistance.

• Provide financial literacy coaching, budget workshops, and one‑on‑one support to reduce strain and improve long‑term stability.

Partner with local agencies

• Formalize partnerships with community food banks, housing assistance programs, health clinics, transportation providers and legal aid to extend the campus safety net.

• Where feasible, co‑locate services or offer regularly scheduled on‑campus hours to reduce barriers to access.

Resources for Penn State students

Penn State is committed to providing opportunities and resources for students to thrive academically, physically and emotionally. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to visit the Student Affairs Basic Needs page for information on resources, such as:

• The Lion’s Pantry offers food assistance, while the Basic Needs Support Hub offers other essentials such as clothing items and toiletries.

• Student Affairs offers various programs designed to support wellness needs, including access to registered dieticians and advice for nutrition planning on a budget, meeting wellness goals and addressing mental health concerns.

• Career Readiness Resources include resume help and interview prep, as well as the Professional Attire Closet that offers free clothing for interviews or first jobs.

• The Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center offers one-on-one coaching, workshops and self-study resources to support financial well-being for students, faculty and graduates.

• The Chaiken Center for Student Success also offers a suite of proactive resources to help undergraduate students develop essential skills, navigate academic transitions, and foster a sense of connection and belonging.

• School Supplies Closet: distributes school supplies including writing utensils, notebooks and headphones to help students focus on academic success.

• First-Generation Community-Building: hosts events like the First-Generation College Celebration and a Student Support Summit and supports the campus chapter of Tri‑Alpha — a national honor society for first-generation students — to foster belonging and peer support.

• Peer and Professional Coaching: support and opportunities to connect with the campus community, as well as develop skills to adjust to college life.

Penn State students can learn more about mental health and wellness resources available to them here.

About the report

The 2025 annual report summarizes data contributed to CCMH during the 2024-25 academic year, beginning July 1, 2024, and closing on June 30, 2025. De-identified data were contributed by 209 college and university counseling centers, describing 162,187 unique college students seeking mental health treatment, 4,694 clinicians, and 1,114,255 appointments. The report describes college students receiving mental health services, not the general college student population.

CCMH is a national research center and international practice-research network of more than 800 college and university counseling centers that bring together clinical work, research and technology. CCMH collects data through routine clinical practice from college and university counseling centers, creating the largest PRN of its kind in the world. Since its development in 2004 by Ben Locke, CCMH has collected data from more than 1.5 million unique clients.