NCS Scholars
NCS Scholars provides year-round housing and supportive services to unhoused college students, addressing not only homelessness but also the challenges that typically cause or accompany it.
A survey conducted by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice found that 14% of City University of New York (CUNY) students experience homelessness. Too often, this derails their pursuit of a degree and prevents them from taking advantage of this gateway to the middle class.
NCS Scholars: LIC opened in October 2022 as a pilot, helping create a blueprint that can be expanded throughout CUNY and beyond to address the challenge of student homelessness. This site provides students with private bedrooms in shared suites; on-site staff, including a social worker; support to connect residents with necessary social services and benefits, resources for mental and physical health, academic and employment support, and financial assistance; and mentoring and networking opportunities.
NCS Scholars supports degree completion and, through a relatively short-term intervention, has the potential to change the trajectory for college students from New York City and beyond.
