What does “basic needs security” mean in Ascend?

In the Ascend survey, students are asked two questions that determine their “basic needs security” (previously labeled “financial stress”). Students are considered to have “basic needs insecurity” if they say (1) that they “sometimes” or “often” did not have enough money for food, or (2) if they reported financial problems leading to one of the following: having to underpay tuition, being unable to pay rent or mortgage, or having to move in with other people.

Specifically, students are considered “insecure” if they respond “often true” or “sometimes true” to the item below.

Or if they indicate they’ve experienced any of the following.