This week, we heard from an Allan Hancock College student who works at Vandenberg Space Force Base and is currently furloughed due to the federal shutdown.

With no income, she expects to fall behind on rent and utilities in November by about $1,500.

Devastated and uncertain about how to provide for herself, she turned to Hancock’s Basic Needs Center for help.

With swift support from the Allan Hancock College Foundation, she is now receiving the assistance she needs. But as the shutdown stretches on, thousands of California college students will face similar challenges, and we expect more requests like hers in the weeks ahead.

Adding to this hardship, on Nov. 1 Californians are scheduled to lose CalFresh benefits, the state’s version of SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). For many stu

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