Objectives: We investigated the holistic experiences of university students during the pandemic. Participants: Thirty-eight students in a public university system in New York City (NYC) purposively selected from neighborhoods highly affected by the pandemic based on level of self-reported impact. Methods: We conducted virtual in-depth interviews from May to August 2021 and analyzed data using thematic coding and constant comparison techniques informed by grounded theory. Results: Financial and social support systems, such as governmental and school resources, were critical to addressing essential needs and allowing students to persist. For those whose essential needs were met, faculty members' flexibility and students' experience with online learning were central to their academic success. Conclusions: Institutions of higher education should strengthen financial and social support systems to meet students' essential needs. Academic policies to bolster online pedagogy and faculty's flexibility can facilitate student retention and completion.