Model program at UNCP helps college students struggling with homelessness

"I didn't come with no blanket, nothing. I literally was sleeping on the mattress with no sheets, no pillow," McEntyre said.

McEntrye's family experienced homelessness during his final two years of high school.

He is the first of his family to go to college. In fact, he said he had never even met someone who had been to college when he started getting offers for wrestling scholarships. That's what brought him to the University of North Carolina-Pembroke.

"When I got here, I was like, I never want to go through that struggle again," he said.

But that's where it becomes hard. College, with financial aid, provides some housing. But students without a solid foundation at home often struggle to find a place to stay when the dorms close for winter or summer breaks.

"I kind of just house hop, house hop, house hop," McEntyre said.

He is careful never to ask the same friend too many times so he won't be in the position to be judged.

"I mean, you learn. You live, and you learn how to move without suspicion," he said.

"We refer to them as the invisible population because not very much research has been done," said Tamara Savage, assistant professor of social work at UNCP.

The University of Wisconsin's Hope Lab did the most complete research on this subject a few years ago. The survey showed 10-15% of students on college campuses experience some levels of homelessness. But the students can go unnoticed because they often don't want anyone to know.

"They are the most vulnerable of our students," Savage said.

And there are very few resources to help these students navigate the system. That's why Savage decided to start a program called ASPIRE. She wants to be a point person for those experiencing homelessness.

"At first it started out really slow," Savage said. "I had three students. I started right after Hurricane Florence."

She used federal financial aid records to try to find students on campus who were dealing with homelessness, and she was persistent about trying to get each of them to join the group.

That persistence eventually swayed McEntyre and he joined. ASPIRE now has 15 students.

"If they don't make it here, there's no safety net. I've had some students say, 'You are the only person that I can come to in my life,'" Savage said.

Savage provides mentorship and organizes group dinners on a monthly basis. She has also arranged for snacks and school supplies to help the students during the semesters.

"I think it took so much load off my mental that I am just a truly more happy person," McEntyre said.

"I've told them 'I'm here for you.' I'm here to help you transition from college to the work world and throughout your life. I am here to help you," McEntyre said.

ASPIRE is the first program of its kind in the UNC System. Savage is hoping she can create a model to spread it to more campuses in North Carolina.