Food insecurity (FI) is a concern for many college students, and contributes to significant physical, mental, and academic stressors. Experts have described the need for qualitative research. A better understanding of the experience of FI among college students may help to inform future research and interventions to support students on their educational journey. This study sought to interpret the lived experience of FI, with specific focus on the sociocultural context in which students experience FI, and its' contributing factors. Incorporating the philosophical perspective of Merleau-Ponty, the researcher utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis to uncover the lifeworlds of food-insecure college students. Eleven participants from two different universities who self-identified as being food insecure were interviewed. Six of those students opted to participate in a second photo-elicitation component; during a second interview, students shared their pictures and described how their images related to their experience of FI. The researcher identified five themes and 22 supporting subthemes based upon the students' descriptions of their experiences. Interpretational phenomenological analysis led to the construction of a conceptual model which depicts FI as a significant disruption to the expected college experience. The model reflects that food-insecure students were in a constant state of disequilibrium trying to ensure that they had enough money to meet their most basic needs. The model further shows that students' FI experience is a tenuous balance of their opposing contributing and resilience factors. One major finding was that academic calendar and other transition periods left students vulnerable, with a change in situation or location pushing the student into FI. International students resoundingly described significant challenges initially on arrival to the United States for their education and a struggle to find culturally congruent ingredients. Importantly, seasonality emerged as an aspect that was not noted in previous research, and appeared to be a catalyst for pushing some students into FI. Socioculturally, there was evident stigma associated with not having enough to eat, but students described it as somewhat of a common scenario among college students. Finally, based on study findings, recommendations for education, practice, policy, and future research are presented. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]