CHICAGO – With support from State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr., Chicago State University will receive $200,000 to address student homelessness and help provide necessities many students lack.

“When students lack basic necessities – like food or housing – they lack the stability to allow them to reach their full potential,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “Chicago State University will now have the resources to uplift its most vulnerable students, putting them on the path to success.”

The End Student Housing Insecurity grants were awarded by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and will be used to support ongoing efforts to address systemic causes of student homelessness and basic-needs insecurity. Chicago State University is one of 10 institutions chosen by the IBHE.

The grants were awarded by a competitive application process, based on the school’s ability to address primary causes of homelessness and basic-needs insecurity, and to help students overcome barriers to graduation. The $200,000 investment to Chicago State University is just one step in the state’s higher education plan to close equity gaps for students.

“Students should not have to worry about food or housing insecurity during an already stressful season of their life,” said Sims. “The grants will allow students to focus on their education rather than on how they’re going to put food on the table.”

For more information on the End Student Housing Insecurity grants, click here.