The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and the U.S. Department of Education’s office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) have announced a new partnership to enhance access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for college students. This collaboration seeks to raise awareness about SNAP among eligible students, as recent data indicates many are not receiving benefits they qualify for.
A Government Accountability Office report found that 67% of the 3.3 million college students potentially eligible for SNAP reported not receiving benefits. Cindy Long, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, stated: "We’re committed to making SNAP more accessible and easier to understand for low-income college students."
This initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. FNS and FSA will inform low-income students about their potential eligibility through emails detailing SNAP rules and application processes. They will also work with educational institutions to provide guidance on eligibility.
U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal emphasized the importance of this agreement: “Almost one-quarter of college students experience food insecurity... This joint agreement represents the commitment...to ensure low-income students receive all the support they need.”
Plans include piloting data-sharing projects in up to 10 states, using FAFSA data to reach potential applicants. State agencies administer SNAP applications, while institutions should contact state agencies with questions about student eligibility.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service operates 16 nutrition assistance programs including SNAP, serving one in four Americans annually. The FSA is a key player in postsecondary education financial aid, providing over $114 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds in FY23.
