Targeted Holistic Resources to Invest in Vision, Empowerment, and Success (THRIVES) Grants

The purpose is to support institutions in addressing basic-needs insecurity among students. This grant is intended to further the work of the previously offered Ending Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) grant in supporting students who face basic needs insecurities and may lack a stable path forward to degree completion. The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE or Agency) established the Targeted Holistic Resources to Invest in Vision, Empowerment, and Success (THRIVES) grant to support institutions in addressing basic needs insecurities among students. The state’s higher education strategic plan, A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth calls for closing equity gaps for students who have been left behind, in part, by supporting students’ basic needs. This grant supports and expands institutional efforts to address basic needs supports, including initiatives under the Higher Education Housing and Opportunities Act that reduce housing insecurity and promote long-term stability for youth in care, at risk, or those students experiencing homelessness. Training and professional development for HOUSE liaisons and/or other staff directly related to basic needs support;

Partnerships with local K-12 schools and community organizations to facilitate and provide support for homeless students, students in care, and other underserved populations transitioning to higher education. (i.e., Summer bridge or mentorship programs designed for the specific needs of homeless students, youth in care, or underserved populations);

Room and board and/or housing fees for students receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and/or students who are or were under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Summer housing is eligible if classified as a distinct academic term by the institution and student is enrolled. This cannot exceed 30 percent of the total requested grant award amount;

Other measures to provide continuity and stability for students receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and/or students under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, such as dorm room supplies, school supplies;

Housing during academic breaks for homeless students, such as winter or spring break. This cannot exceed 15 percent of the total requested grant amount;

Basic needs insecure (including homeless and youth in care) student identification and tracking efforts, including increasing collaboration across campus units to determine the total number of basic needs insecure students as well as persistence and graduation rates;

Outreach campaigns or services to increase student and staff awareness of institutional services and to assist in identifying basic needs insecure and at-risk students;

Addressing basic needs insecurity by creating or expanding food pantry programs to include toiletries, hygiene products, childcare items, kitchen supplies, and/or clothing;

Responding to basic needs insecurity by providing vouchers for items such as transportation, food, medicine, laundry, and/or mental health supports to at-risk or in-need students;

Student wraparound services that may include academic and career coaching, use of a benefits navigator, textbook and technology loaning programs, and childcare services;

Providing a one-time, $500 targeted stipend to resolve past-due balances for students, thereby removing registration holds and ensuring pathways to graduation. Grant funds cannot be used to pay fees or fines due to judicial holds. This cannot exceed 10 percent of the total requested grant amount;

Direct aid to students including housing vouchers/stipends, textbook scholarships, technology stipends, rental application fees, and utility bill assistance; course software access code vouchers; and

Other programs and services aimed at serving the unique needs of students experiencing basic needs insecurities.

Below are examples of funding uses that will not be eligible under the THRIVES grant in FY 2027.

Tuition and fees outside of the one-time, $500 stipend for past-due student accounts with holds that prevent registration;

Any direct aid to students that negatively impacts a student’s financial aid; and

Residence housing fees except for (1) academic breaks and/or (2) students receiving services under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and/or students who are or were under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and are transitioning into an institution of higher education. Beneficiaries: Homeless Students & Students In-Care Administered by the BHE via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 601-00-4110).