What is SNAP?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service. SNAP provides a monthly benefit to individuals and families through an Electronic Benefits Card (EBT) to supplement the purchase of nutritious foods. Eligibility for SNAP benefits is based on financial and nonfinancial criteria
SNAP for Students
For SNAP purposes, a student refers to a person who is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. The term student refers to a person who is:
- Enrolled in a business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalency certificate for enrollment; or
- Enrolled in a regular curriculum at a college or university that offers degree programs, regardless of whether a high school diploma is required.
SNAP Temporary Student Exemption Ends
Beginning on January 16, 2021, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 allowed two temporary exemptions for students enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. Now that the federal Public Health Emergency has ended (effective May 11, 2023), the temporary SNAP eligibility policies for college students are no longer available. This means college students who were previously eligible for SNAP benefits may lose their eligibility status beginning June 10, 2023 (30 days after the Public Health Emergency ends).
| From 1/16/21-6/09/2023 | Effective as of 6/10/23 |
|---|---|
| The Act expanded the eligibility exemption to students who were eligible to participate in work-study during the regular school year, without the requirement that they participated. | Students must be actively participating in a state or federally financed work-study program during the regular school year. |
| Students who had an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 in the current academic year determined in accordance with part F of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 were eligible for SNAP. | The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) criteria was removed as an eligibility parameter. |
Visit CommonHelp.virginia.gov to apply for SNAP today.
