For many students at the City University of New York (CUNY), getting to class isn’t simply a matter of time, it’s a matter of affordability. Community colleges overwhelmingly serve students from households earning less than $50,000 a year. While tuition is often covered through grants and subsidies, non-tuition costs like transportation, textbooks and childcare remain persistent barriers to completion.

In a city with a high cost of living, something as basic as a MetroCard for public transportation can determine whether a student graduates or drops out. To better understand the impact of transportation costs on student success, The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs conducted a randomized controlled trial at two CUNY campuses then tracked enrollment outcomes and surveyed students on their experiences. This white paper includes key findings and recommendations directed at funders and policymakers.