Amid alarming food insecurity affecting college students, the USDA and Education Department are collaborating to make a significant change.
At a Glance
- The USDA and Education Department have partnered to expand college students’ access to SNAP benefits.
- A GAO report found 67% of eligible college students did not receive SNAP benefits.
- Efforts focus on boosting awareness and simplifying SNAP application procedures for students.
- A new rule will eliminate online meal account fees for low-income students by 2027-2028.
USDA and Education Department’s Partnership
The USDA and the Department of Education have united to bolster SNAP benefits for college students facing food insecurity. Acknowledging the severity of the issue, they signed a joint agreement to raise awareness and ensure eligible students have access to these crucial benefits. This initiative aims to provide the support needed to help low-income students afford college and complete their education without the burden of choosing between necessities.
According to a GAO report, 67% of students who potentially were eligible for SNAP benefits did not receive them. To address this gap, the partnership is working on outreach efforts to keep students informed about their eligibility and the application process. Colleges will also guide students on SNAP requirements to ease the application burden.
Today, we joined forces with @FAFSA to make SNAP more accessible for college students. With 67% of 3.3 million eligible students missing out on benefits, this partnership aims to ensure students don’t go hungry. To learn more visit https://t.co/HXxAzmqPj0 pic.twitter.com/b0LCw0sC2h
— USDA Nutrition (@USDANutrition) November 7, 2024
Eliminating Barriers and Enhancing Access
This collaborative effort includes implementing a plan to abolish online meal account fees for low-income students by the 2027-2028 school year. This rule change is part of a larger national strategy to improve access to affordable meals, covering families with incomes below 185% of federal poverty guidelines. Eligible students must not be charged more than $0.30 for breakfast or $0.40 for lunch, further relieving financial pressure for those in need.
“This joint agreement represents the commitment of the Department of Education and USDA to work together to ensure low-income students receive all the support they need to afford and complete college,” U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said.
The initiative is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s efforts to tackle hunger, nutrition, and health issues nationwide. It emphasizes the importance of making SNAP more accessible and understandable, reminding eligible students that food assistance can allow them to focus on education rather than making tough choices between necessities.
USDA partners with Department of Education to tackle food insecurity on college campuses https://t.co/zYBnO2HB60
— The Hill (@thehill) November 8, 2024
But had the Biden-Harris administration worked to grow our economy, maybe this wouldn’t have been necessary at all…
