SNAP for College Students

Temporary Expanded SNAP Eligibility for Students

Under the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021, students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education may be eligible to receive aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if they:

Are eligible to participate in work study that is state or federally funded; OR
Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0.

**Students must still meet all other financial and non-financial SNAP eligibility criteria. These new temporary exemptions do not impact any other student exemptions. All other current student eligibility exemptions remain in effect.**

How do I know if I meet one of the new temporary exemptions?

Verification of your eligibility to participate in work-study, or of an EFC of $0, can be found on your financial aid award letter from your institution of higher education.
Verification of an EFC of $0 can also be found on your Student Aid Report (SAR).
You also may have received an email from the U.S. Department of Education indicating that you have an EFC of $0.

If you do not have any of the above verification documents, please contact your institution of higher education for verification of your work-study eligibility and/or EFC of $0.

As of February 1, 2023, Food Nutrition Services (FNS) advised that the Federal Public Health Emergency is ending May 11, 2023. The two temporary exemptions remain in effect for SNAP applications submitted within 30 days of the end of the PHE. This means that:

Applications submitted on or before June 9, 2023 will have eligibility determined using the temporary exemptions. The student would remain eligible until the next redetermination.
Redeterminations submitted on or before June 30, 2023 will have eligibility determined using the temporary exemptions. The student would remain eligible until the next redetermination.

"Hunger-Free Campus" Program

Food insecurity is a key hurdle that many students encounter as they pursue higher education.

The “Hunger-Free Campus” program helps Louisiana’s colleges and universities raise awareness about the issue – and bring attention to on- and off-campus services that help fill the gaps by addressing basic food needs.

The “Hunger-Free Campus” designation and grant program was established by Act 719, signed into law on June 27, 2022, by Gov. John Bel Edwards. Rep. Barbara Freiberg, who sponsored the legislation, said she was astounded to learn that as many as 40% of college students experience food insecurity.