At YI, we use research to identify persistent problems facing young adults’ economic security and generate new policy ideas to tackle those challenges. We strive to make sure the best evidence informs all aspects of our work, combining the voices and experiences of young adults with rigorous quantitative research. In addition, we advocate at the state and federal levels in support of policies that improve equity and help level the playing field for our generation.

Check out our latest reports and briefs below.

Read our 2023 Policy Agenda here.

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  • 2024 Mental Health Agenda

    Overview Over the last year, it’s become clear that bolder action is needed for mental health as young adults in America are battling a mental health crisis. Today, a third of all adults, and half of young adults 18-24, report...

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  • Beyond Basic Needs

    Overview Being a student is costly and time consuming. Far too often, students have trouble meeting their basic needs such as housing, food, and child care needs. It is an unfortunate reality that students are often choosing between paying tuition...

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  • Reimagining Pell

    Introduction The Federal Pell Grant program continues to be a cornerstone of federal financial aid for students from low- and moderate-income families, with over 30 percent of undergraduate students receiving a Pell Grant in the 2020-2021 award year. Additionally, from...

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  • 2022 Impact Report

    Letter from the Executive Director It has been quite a year. As the recovery from the global pandemic evolves, young people across the country are in a period of profound and historic opportunity to address systemic barriers to economic security....

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  • Improving Outcomes

    Overview There is not enough attention on supporting and uplifting youth exiting the foster care system in Illinois. Many young adults are not provided with the adequate information for possible career pathways or connections to state-based job readiness programs. Fifty...

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  • Living with a Debt Sentence

    Ballooning medical debt contributes to the gross inequity and instability New Yorkers face. Even with insurance, thousands of people face overwhelming medical debt. Some nonprofit hospital systems have been known to sue patients for unpaid bills regularly. These debts also...

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  • 2023 Texas Policy Agenda

    Overview Young Texans want a prosperous future. A future with access to an affordable education and an in-demand career. A future where parenting students, who make up almost a quarter of all Texas students, have access to the resources needed...

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  • 2023 New York Policy Agenda

    Overview  As we continue to recover from the global pandemic and exacerbation of systemic barriers, the challenges young adults face, including tuition and non-tuition-related costs, unemployment, health care affordability, and rent prices have risen exponentially. Despite New York’s increasing vaccination...

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