--- title: Millions of College Students Eligible for Food Stamps Are Not Getting Help description: Nearly 25% college students deal with 'food insecurity.' But most still don't receive SNAP benefits they're eligible for, a new study found. authors: - name: Adam Hardy role: Lead Data Reporter url: https://money.com/author/adam-hardy/ bio: Adam Hardy has eight years of experience in personal finance journalism. At Money, he’s written extensively about student loans, including guides, explainers and breaking news. MuckRack named Adam one of the top 10 journalists covering student loans in the nation. education: University of South Florida, BA, Magazine Journalism at_money_since: 2021 articles: 497 covers: - Education - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Pets - Professional Services - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes - Technology also_seen_in: - The Penny Hoarder - Forbes Advisor - Creative Loafing - The New York Times - The Washington Post - Bloomberg - Harvard Law School - The Federal Register - National Consumer Law Center - CBS News - Becker's Hospital Review - Business Insider - Mother Jones - The Week - Fortune - The Philadelphia Inquirer - National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSAA) - Education Advisory Board (EAB) - The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) - This Morning with Gordon Deal - Empower - Reddit social: - https://www.x.com/hardyjournalism - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hardyjournalism/ editors: - name: Kaitlin Mulhere role: Editor url: https://money.com/author/kaitlin-mulhere/ bio: Kaitlin Mulhere is an editor at Money.com. Since joining in 2015, she’s written and edited about a variety of personal finance topics, including banks, credit, student debt, saving strategies and more. education: University of Florida at_money_since: 2015 articles: 217 covers: - Education - Banking - Business - Career Advice - Credit - Credit Cards - Debt - Economy and Politics - Health and Wellness - Housing - Identity Theft - Insurance - Investing - Lifestyle - Loans - Mortgages - Personal Finance - Retirement - Shopping - Taxes social: - https://twitter.com/KMulhere - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-mulhere-64503048/ published: '2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z' modified: '2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z' section: Education word_count: 662 canonical: https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/ type: Article source: structured-blocks --- > **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/). ![A person putting some bananas and other groceries on the conveyor at a store checkout](https://img.money.com/2024/07/College-Student-Snap-Food-Assitance.jpg) Millions of low-income college students are missing out on food-assistance benefits, a new study from the federal government shows. An estimated 3.3 million college students meet the [eligibility requirements](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility) for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aka food stamps, according to a [new report published Wednesday](https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-24-107074.pdf) by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The government researchers found that 67% of those students did not receive food assistance in 2020, the most recent data available. “Too many college students are unable to escape hunger as they pursue their educational goals,” Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., who requested the GAO conduct the report, said in a statement after its release. ## Cover your college expenses with a Student Loan, so you can focus solely on your grades and education. ### With a Student Loan from College Ave, you can worry less about tuition and devote your energy to mapping out your future. Click on your state and take the first step today. [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/u3e72cf8ee70?ap_referrer=%2Fcollege-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao%2F) For the better part of a decade, advocates have been sounding the alarm about food insecurity on campus, urging colleges to open (or expand) food pantries to help hungry students. Many have. As of 2022, more than 800 colleges had food pantries, up from just 88 a decade earlier, according to the nonprofit higher education group [Trellis Company](https://www.trelliscompany.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/71646-Research-Brief-MAY2022_FINAL.pdf). Still, food insecurity on campus remains prevalent. The GAO’s report found that 1 out of 4 college students are food insecure — defined as either not having access to a quality, varied diet; or in case of “very low food security,” entirely skipping meals due to lack of money. ## The SNAP conundrum for college students SNAP is a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by each state. States set their own application rules, but generally applicants must be low-income and meet specific [work requirements](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements). For college students, the eligibility requirements are particularly onerous. To receive SNAP benefits while in college, the student must be enrolled in a higher-education program at least part-time and work 20 hours per week or more (unless they’re [parents of young children](https://money.com/college-students-with-kids-struggle-to-graduate/), have a qualifying disability or another [similar exemption](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/students)). While about 20% of all college students likely meet these requirements, a large majority of them never make it through the SNAP application process. They may not realize they qualify, aren’t able to complete the application or have other barriers to receiving the benefit. When students don’t have access to the food they need, their academic performance can suffer. “Food insecurity during college is a barrier to graduation and higher-degree attainment,” wrote food-insecurity researchers in a 2022 study published by [*Public Health Nutrition*](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8855347/)*.* The study found that over 56% of food-insecure college students end up dropping out. “Worrying about not having enough to eat, where your next meal is coming from, going hungry, or sacrificing the nutritional content of food can distract students from focusing on school work thereby leading to lower academic performance,” the authors wrote. And if they did manage to graduate, it tended to be from an associate’s degree program — not a bachelor’s or graduate program. Another major factor that contributes to food-insecure students’ disproportionately high dropout rates, the study found, is that those students are more likely to be working to support themselves. Separate [research](https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/Low-Income-Working-Learners-FR.pdf) from [Georgetown University](https://money.com/best-colleges/profile/georgetown-university/)’s Center on Education and the Workforce has long demonstrated that there are academic downsides when students work too much. “Working too many hours — above the 15-hour threshold per week — can also lead to a higher probability of non-completion and dropping out for low-income students,” the researchers said. SNAP work requirements of at least 20 hours per week while maintaining enrollment are at odds with that threshold. This all coalesces into a grim reality for many food-insecure college students: Don’t enroll in SNAP and risk dropping out due to hunger; or, enroll in SNAP and risk dropping out to do being overworked. “If we add that to student loan debt incurred from trying and failing to complete a credential,” the Georgetown researchers wrote, “some of these students were possibly worse off for having tried.” ## Compare Student Loan companies to find the right fit ### Cover up to 100% of your college costs ![View Rates](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24903/medium_b6089714-807b-4b5a-88f9-defb35d74711.png) Our Partner [View Rates](https://money.com/go/874bb4334fcf?bidid=4017026337&ptid=660689858&ptoken=ccc117661f4c05eced7a3f7dfafd1387) ### Apply online in minutes ![View Rates](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/29957/medium_1bf2c50c-d2fe-4492-bad2-f4bca2475954.webp) Our Partner [View Rates](https://money.com/go/3bd3b9c2cd6d?bidid=4017026336&ptid=660689858&ptoken=dc35537f557c3030afd987d5b1635933) ### No fees ![View Rates](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/38573/medium_5a7ddb75-a315-44cf-8526-1594057ec7d6.webp) Our Partner [View Rates](https://money.com/go/267a66368927?bidid=4017026339&ptid=660689858&ptoken=583a2b230ada86b42938128ea336ffe2) ### Provides customized private loan options for students ![View Rates](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/38575/medium_3b0e137f-8ec1-4f32-a340-85efa53e0aab.webp) Our Partner [View Rates](https://money.com/go/fb603d2b6c19?bidid=4017026338&ptid=660689858&ptoken=229c6ab83043c59b4fc6dd126c2c1954) ### Rates starting at 2.99% ![View Rates](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/38576/medium_d3a42618-1276-44ce-95cf-561a8f89efa8.webp) Our Partner [View Rates](https://money.com/go/eecf6fc703b1?bidid=4017026340&ptid=660689858&ptoken=91ecbef4210bc8e4f8687afa1c315a35) ![](https://s3.consumersadvocate.org/prd/image/image/24903/medium_b6089714-807b-4b5a-88f9-defb35d74711.png) Reach new academic heights with College Ave [View Rates](https://money.com/pr/y61180a308af?ap_referrer=%2Fcollege-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao%2F) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://money.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Education", "item": "https://money.com/education/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "College", "item": "https://money.com/college/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Millions of College Students Eligible for Food Stamps Are Not Getting Help" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://money.com/#website", "url": "https://money.com", "name": "Money", "publisher": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } }, { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/#webpage", "url": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/", "name": "Millions of College Students Eligible for Food Stamps Are Not Getting Help", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://money.com/#website" }, "datePublished": "2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z", "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/#breadcrumb" }, "dateModified": "2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z" }, { "@type": "Article", "headline": "Millions of College Students Eligible for Food Stamps Are Not Getting Help", "articleSection": "Education", "image": [ { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://img.money.com/2024/07/College-Student-Snap-Food-Assitance.jpg", "width": 2400, "height": 1601, "caption": "College-Student-Snap-Food-Assitance" } ], "author": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Adam Hardy", "url": "https://money.com/author/adam-hardy/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/adam-hardy/#author", "description": "Adam Hardy has eight years of experience in personal finance journalism. At Money, he’s written extensively about student loans, including guides, explainers and breaking news. MuckRack named Adam one of the top 10 journalists covering student loans in the nation.", "image": "https://img.money.com/2022/01/a_adam-hardy.jpg?quality=85&w=400&h=440&crop=1", "email": "adam.hardy@money.com", "jobTitle": "Lead Data Reporter", "alumniOf": "University of South Florida, BA, Magazine Journalism", "subjectOf": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/", "name": "The Penny Hoarder" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.forbes.com/advisor/", "name": "Forbes Advisor" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://creativeloafing.com/", "name": "Creative Loafing" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/opinion/biden-trump-harris-2024.html", "name": "The New York Times" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/12/26/flexible-spending-account-is-flawed-benefit/", "name": "The Washington Post" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-09-20/-100-000-h-1b-visa-fee-is-a-gamble-that-could-protect-us-jobs", "name": "Bloomberg" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2024/02/08/whoop-and-the-irs-how-tax-avoidance-helps-health/", "name": "Harvard Law School" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b#footnote-33-p60883", "name": "The Federal Register" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.nclc.org/resources/what-states-can-do-to-stop-credit-reporting-abuses/", "name": "National Consumer Law Center" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.cbsnews.com/news/open-enrollment-irs-changes-fsa-hsa-flexible-spending-account-health-savings-account-2023/", "name": "CBS News" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/rankings-and-ratings/20-top-us-hospitals-for-2025-per-money/", "name": "Becker's Hospital Review" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/using-chatgpt-ai-write-cover-letters-job-applications-2023-2", "name": "Business Insider" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/a-major-strike-of-beef-workers-pauses-in-colorado-but-workers-say-the-fight-isnt-over/", "name": "Mother Jones" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://theweek.com/business/economy/job-market-frozen-thawing", "name": "The Week" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://fortune.com/2023/12/20/workers-lose-money-on-unused-fsa-accounts-deadlines-what-companies-should-do/", "name": "Fortune" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/liberation-day-tariffs-economy-stock-market-trump-20250401.html", "name": "The Philadelphia Inquirer" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/37955/Student_Loan_Changes_2026_New_Repayment_Options_Taxable_Forgiveness_and_More_on_the_Way", "name": "National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NAFSAA)" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://eab.com/resources/blog/adult-education-blog/graduate-funding-shift-pricing-aid-strategies-aligned/", "name": "Education Advisory Board (EAB)" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://ticas.org/california/state-private-loans-protections-blog/", "name": "The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS)" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://thismorningwithgordondeal.com/b/This-Morning-with-Gordon-Deal-August-04,-2026/421564107823081285.html", "name": "This Morning with Gordon Deal" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.empower.com/the-currency/life/pumpkin-spice-season-spending", "name": "Empower" }, { "@type": "WebPage", "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/Economics/comments/1va10oa/comment/p0i9bju/", "name": "Reddit" } ], "sameAs": [ "https://www.x.com/hardyjournalism", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/hardyjournalism/" ], "worksFor": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } } ], "publisher": "https://money.com/#organization", "datePublished": "2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z", "description": "Nearly 25% college students deal with 'food insecurity.' But most still don't receive SNAP benefits they're eligible for, a new study found.", "abstract": "Nearly 25% college students deal with 'food insecurity.' But most still don't receive SNAP benefits they're eligible for, a new study found.", "@id": "https://money.com/college-students-food-insecurity-snap-gao/", "inLanguage": "en-US", "dateModified": "2024-07-29T16:02:50.000Z", "editor": [ { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kaitlin Mulhere", "url": "https://money.com/author/kaitlin-mulhere/", "@id": "https://money.com/author/kaitlin-mulhere/#author", "description": "Kaitlin Mulhere is an editor at Money.com. Since joining in 2015, she’s written and edited about a variety of personal finance topics, including banks, credit, student debt, saving strategies and more. ", "image": "https://img.money.com/2015/04/Kaitlin-Mulhere.png?w=226&h=247&crop=1", "email": "kaitlin.mulhere@money.com", "jobTitle": "Editor", "alumniOf": "University of Florida", "sameAs": [ "https://twitter.com/KMulhere", "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitlin-mulhere-64503048/" ], "worksFor": { "@id": "https://money.com/#organization" } } ], "wordCount": 662, "about": [ { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education", "sameAs": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education" ] }, { "@type": "Thing", "name": "College", "sameAs": [ "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College" ] } ] } ] } ```