Higher Learning Advocates / July 18, 2023
While the federal government provides subsidies for low-income individuals to purchase food through the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), current rules are complicated for students to follow and for agencies to implement, ultimately limiting access for intended beneficiaries. There is widespread agreement that SNAP rules for students are overly burdensome and prevent eligible students from accessing the benefit. The Government Accountability Office estimates that just 31% of college students who meet SNAP income limits reported receiving benefits, a much lower share than the general eligible population. Opportunities exist to make it easier for students who meet SNAP income limits and requirements to qualify for the benefit using data that is already verified by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other sources.
