More than 8,000 students completed this fall’s Student Basic Needs Questionnaire, an initiative led by ACC’s Basic Needs Systems to proactively identify areas where students may need support as the fall 2026 semester began. 

This fall marked the questionnaire’s first rollout across all 11 ACC campuses, following a fall 2025 pilot at Highland and Round Rock campuses. Open August 17–September 25, the questionnaire asked students to identify their needs in areas such as childcare, food access, housing, mental health counseling, and financial assistance. The goals of the questionnaire are to identify potential barriers early and connect students with resources before those challenges interfere with their education. 

Fall Participation at a Glance

  • More than 8,000 students completed the questionnaire, representing more than 10 percent of the student population at each ACC campus. 
  • More than 500 student appointments were scheduled with CARE Coordinators after the questionnaire closed.
  • More than 1,500 students were identified as high-risk and received outreach from a CARE Coordinator.
  • 459 students were referred to ConnectCTX, a United Way for Greater Austin platform that connects individuals with community resources such as food assistance, housing support, and childcare.

The questionnaire supports ACC’s broader Theory of Change, which identifies meeting students’ basic needs as essential to helping students focus on learning and reach their academic and career goals. Identifying needs early helps put that commitment into practice. Learn more about ACC’s approach to helping students meet their basic needs.

Thank You for Helping Students Connect

Faculty and staff play an instrumental role in encouraging students to complete the questionnaire. Thank you for sharing reminders, bringing it into classroom conversations, and helping students recognize that support is available. Your encouragement makes C.A.R.E. Network resources more visible and asking for help more approachable. 

Student basic needs support is available throughout the semester. If you know a student who needs assistance with food, housing, childcare, or other basic needs, you can submit a referral to the C.A.R.E. Network at any time to help connect them with support. 

Spring 2027 Questionnaire Launch

The Student Basic Needs Questionnaire will return in spring 2027, just a few months away. Please watch for opportunities to share it with students and continue helping them connect with support early in the new semester.