SNAP for College Students

What Is SNAP?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, called SNAP, helps people and families buy nutritious food.

SNAP provides a monthly benefit on an Electronic Benefit Transfer card, also called an EBT card. You can use the card at stores that accept SNAP.

Eligibility is based on financial and nonfinancial rules.

SNAP for Students

For SNAP, a student is someone enrolled at least half-time in higher education, including:

• Business, technical, trade or vocational schools that usually require a high school diploma or equivalent
• Colleges or universities that offer degree programs

Students may qualify for SNAP, but special rules apply.

Temporary Student Exemptions Have Ended

During the federal public health emergency, some college students qualified for SNAP under temporary rules.

Those temporary exemptions ended on June 10, 2023.

This means some students who received SNAP before may no longer qualify unless they meet current requirements.

What Changed?

Before (Jan. 16, 2021 – June 9, 2023):

• Students eligible for work-study could qualify, even if they did not participate
• Students with an Expected Family Contribution of $0 could qualify

Now (Effective June 10, 2023):

• Students must be actively participating in a state or federally funded work-study program
• The Expected Family Contribution rule no longer applies

Apply for SNAP

You can apply for SNAP or check your eligibility online through CommonHelp.