WAYNE, N.J. -- Food insecurity is a problem on college campuses around the country, but New Jersey’s William Paterson University has a plan to help.
Hundreds of low-income students receive aid to go to school, but they’re still struggling to buy food. The university’s idea is to fill that gap.
William Paterson University Vice President Guillermo de Veyga says money from a $1.5 million state grant will be loaded on about 300 eligible students’ IDs.
“You don't have to worry about if you are going to eat or where your next meal is coming from, we have that covered for you,” says de Veyga.
De Veyga says first-year or full-time transfers will have about $1,000 available to them per semester. He says this could be the difference between whether a student can go to school or not.
The grant was through a New Jersey program for pilot projects looking to tackle food insecurity issues.
Ultimately, the school hopes other schools will follow suit with similar plans to help students.
“We really hope it's going to be a national practice and we are pioneers in the field,” says De Veyga.