Student assistance for LGBTQIA+ undergraduates facing broken family dynamics at Brazilian federal universities

Abstract

For lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other (LGBTQIA+) students, the university experience is shaped by the predominance and consequences of oppression, both inside and outside the academic setting, presenting challenges that can impact education completion. This study sought to identify emergency and housing student aid programs at Brazilian federal universities specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ students facing weakened or broken family dynamics. It is a qualitative and documentary research employing thematic analysis of official documents covering student aid in the categories of "housing" and "emergency assistance”. A total of 33 documents stemming from 27 federal universities were examined. Three descriptive categories emerged: 1) Types of aid and their specificities; 2) Selection criteria for the target audience and aggravating factors of vulnerability; 3) Managing demand from LGBTQIA+ students with severed or fragile family ties. The analysis revealed that 60.8% of Brazil’s 69 federal universities do not explicitly address gender and sexuality issues. Rigid selection criteria were identified as recurrent obstacles to accessing benefits. It is imperative to make eligibility criteria more flexible to accommodate the specific needs of this group and to implement continuous assistance distribution.