DID YOU KNOW?
College students suffer from food insecurity – and SNAP is available!
According to a 2019 Government Accountability Office report, at least one in three college students do not always have enough to eat, which is more than twice the rate of food insecurity among adults throughout the United States. Additionally, 71 percent of college students today do not fit the mold of a “typical” college student and may be financially independent, work at least part time, enroll in and stay in college at a later age, or have dependent children.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 changed the SNAP eligibility requirements for college students. Now, college students qualify for SNAP as long as they are enrolled at least half-time and meet income and other eligibility requirements. In addition, those eligible for a state or federal work study program, regardless of whether they are actually participating, or students who have an estimated family contribution of $0 on their federal student aid determination are now eligible for SNAP. For college students under the age of 22 living at home with their parents, parents’ incomes are still factored into determining if they qualify for SNAP. This eligibility will remain in place until 30 days after the public health emergency ends. To learn more, call the Coalition Against Hunger Hotline at (215) 430-0556, Monday through Thursday 9:00am to 5:00pm or Friday 9:00am to 4:00pm. If you need food assistance, call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish) to speak with a representative who will find food resources such as meal sites, food banks, and other social services available near your location. For more information on college hunger, take a look at The Campus Cupboard Study from the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank from 2018.