The COVID-19 emergency is clearly highlighting and underlining the severe racial disparities that exist in US society.
A new survey from the organization Student Loan Hero confirms that Latino and Black students are struggling at a higher rate during the COVID-19 emergency when compared to other groups.
Key survey findings
- More than 4 out of 5 (81%) of college students surveyed said they are facing financial difficulties due to the coronavirus crisis, with more than a quarter having trouble paying bills or feeding themselves.
- Student loan borrowers are facing a higher level of financial difficulties than their peers.
- Black and Hispanic students report higher levels of food and housing insecurity due to the global health pandemic than their white peers.
- About 1 in 4 students lost their job due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
- More than one-third of students are taking on debt to cope with losses caused by the pandemic.
- Students are anxious about academics and their chances of finding a job after graduation.
- Most students want at least partial student loan forgiveness from the government.
Student Loan Hero surveyed more than 1,000 college and university students to learn about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted their finances, academics and post-graduation career plans. The bleak picture portrayed by this survey emphasizes the need for strong governmental and civil action.
Since 1932 LULAC Councils have been raising funds at the grass-root level to support our Latino students via scholarship opportunities. These extraordinary times call for stronger support from all of us to protect our future generations.
Visit our LULAC Councils’ pages to learn more about our scholarship programs and how to support them: