College professionals can play a role in helping students succeed by helping them access benefits for which they are eligible.
The Department of Education recently shared information for students who may qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. SNAP provides benefits to low-income individuals and families to help supplement their food budget with nutritious food essentials.
Students enrolled at least half-time at a college may qualify for SNAP by meeting the financial and non-financial eligibility requirements and one of the SNAP student exemptions. The announcement outlines some of the SNAP student exemptions and also includes a link to the SNAP student webpage, which includes the full list of exemptions. An infographic is also available for schools to share.
The announcement also addresses the following topics:
- Who Needs to Meet a SNAP Student Exemption
- Important Information About Applying for SNAP
- Application Process
- Rights of SNAP Applicants
- Information for Institutions of Higher Education, including use of FAFSA Data and Verification of things such as proof of enrollment or participation in a work study program
Students with questions about their SNAP eligibility or wanting to find out how to apply can contact their local SNAP office. Contact information can be found in the SNAP State Directory. Schools with questions about SNAP eligibility should contact their state SNAP agency.
