Did you know 75% of ACC students reported in a recent survey that they experience financial difficulties while in school, and only 38% said they seek out ACC resources or employees for assistance.

This spring, employees are asked to help spread the word about the College’s Student Basic Needs Questionnaire. This short but powerful tool is designed to connect students with support early in the semester.

The questionnaire is currently open to students enrolled at the Round Rock and Highland campuses this spring and will expand to additional campuses in future semesters.

Why This Matters

The Student Basic Needs Questionnaire helps ACC identify potential challenges—such as food insecurity, housing instability, financial stress, caregiving responsibilities, or mental health concerns—before they interfere with a student’s ability to persist and succeed.

Even if a student doesn’t believe they need support, we encourage all students to complete the questionnaire. Every response helps ACC better understand student needs, identify trends, and strengthen campus-wide supports.

The questionnaire will close on Friday, February 20, allowing teams to provide timely outreach and assistance.

Part of a Bigger Commitment to Basic Needs

This questionnaire is an early step in ACC’s broader effort to build a coordinated, student-centered Basic Needs system—one that reduces barriers and supports our North Star goal of 70% completion by 2030.

“This work is about building a system that works for students, not asking students to navigate a system,” says Cara Crowley, Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Basic Needs Systems. “When students don’t have to worry about where they’ll sleep, how they’ll eat, or who will help them through a hard moment, they can focus on learning. Our goal is to meet students where they are and remove barriers before they become roadblocks.”

What Students Should Know

Please feel free to share the following points with students:

  • It takes just a few minutes to complete.
  • It can help connect students to support early in the semester.
  • Responses are used to improve services and resources for all students.
  • Some students may be contacted by an ACC CARE Coordinator for follow-up support.
  • The deadline is Friday, February 20.

For more information and to get started, students can visit austincc.edu/studentneeds.