College students eligible for SNAP benefits, leaving the aid on the table, according to report

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The USDA Food and Nutrition Services and the US Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid announced plans to boost students access to the SNAP benefits, earlier this month. SNAP benefits are intended to help low-income families supplement their grocery bill.

As a college student, Olivia Whitmore said many of her peers are struggling.

“I know a lot of students that are also working while being a full-time college student and it’s really hard,” Whitmore said.

But some of Whitmore’s peers may not be aware they’re eligible for SNAP benefits. According to a recent government study, nearly 67% of students that are eligible for SNAP reported not getting them.

As a part of the federal agreement, the agencies plan to send emails to low income students.

“We have to do better about addressing the stigma behind some of the safety net programs such as snap,” said Dr. Brione Lockett, the interim director of community nutrition and education at Tennessee State University. “But also we need to do a better job of saying, ‘Hey this is the opportunity here and this is where you can receive it’ and we can streamline the process.”

Dr. Lockett also added he knows first hand these benefits can help.

“As a college student I benefited from SNAP programs in a different state,” Dr. Lockett said. “I know when I had to take that one final at 8 a.m. I did not have to worry about food.”

Whitmore believes it can help eligible college students keep things in perspective.

“It would let even more college students come to TSU or other colleges because now they have one less thing to worry about 15 and with having food on the table and having more time to just be college students.”

If you’re a college student you have to meet all of the SNAP requirements first then you have to meet an additional exemption.

Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.