| Abstract | This research adds to the ongoing discussion about food insecurity among college students and aims to bridge the gap in knowledge about how access to meal swipes specifically affects first-generation students. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, including surveys and interviews, to explore how meal swipes impact first-generation students' perception of academic success and campus involvement at TCU. The findings suggest that the inconsistent availability of food through meal swipes has a negative impact on first-generation students' learning, grades, extracurricular participation, social connections, and well-being. This highlights the need for universities like TCU to develop comprehensive solutions to support food-insecure first-gen students, as meeting their basic needs is crucial for ensuring equal opportunities for academic success and overall wellbeing. This research is relevant because it provides insights into a significant yet often overlooked issue that affects many first-gen students' health, achievement, and college experience, contributing to the broader conversation about college student food insecurity. |
