Food Security

College Students Are Eligible for SNAP

SNAP Eligibility Has Changed

During the Public Health Emergency (PHE), college students were able to take advantage of SNAP benefits.

During the pandemic, exemptions were offered to 

  • Students eligible to participate in state or federally funded work-study during the school year
  • Students who had an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0

These exemptions made it easier for students to get SNAP, but now that the PHE is over there are new qualifications.

How Do I Know if I Qualify

  • Check your student status!

You must be enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education. You may either be enrolled in a regular curriculum at a college or university, or in a business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or a General Education Degree.

What Do I Need to Qualify

Students must meet one of the following exemptions.

Students qualify if they:

  • Are under 18 or older than 50
  • Have a physical or mental disability
  • Work at least 20 hours/week in paid employment
  • Participate in a state or federally financed work study program
  • Participate in an on-the-job training program
  • Care for a child under 6
  • Care for a child (6 to 11 years old) and lack necessary child care to attend school, work 20 hours a week, or participate in work study
  • Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and take care of a child under 12
  • Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through certain employment and training programs, such as the SNAP Employment & Training program

As a Texas student, you should never have to choose between school and a meal.

Apply for SNAP!

Find out if you're eligible

Learn more about College Students and SNAP

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