GAO Report Sheds Light on College Students Missing Out on Food Aid

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has uncovered a troubling gap: out of the 3.3 million college students who qualified for federal food assistance in 2020, two-thirds did not claim these benefits. 

This report was initiated by requests from Democratic lawmakers back in 2021, and its findings are particularly impactful as Congress is revising the Farm Bill, which governs policies for nutrition programs, among other things.

Alarmingly, the report found that about 23 percent of college students experience food insecurity, indicating a clear need for better access to the federal food assistance program known as SNAP. Advocates for college students have long been urging Congress to simplify the process for students to get SNAP benefits.

The rules for college students to get SNAP are strict. Students who study at least half-time must fit additional criteria, such as being single parents, have a disability or meet certain income and citizenship requirements. For a household of one person, they can't make more than $1,580 a month to be eligible.

Representative Bobby Scott from Virginia, a senior Democrat on the House Education and Workforce Committee and who asked for the GAO study, emphasized that food insecurity negatively impacts academic performance. 

He insists that Congress must make sure students know about SNAP and have access to it, especially as college costs continue to rise.

The GAO is set to release a second report detailing what barriers students face when trying to access SNAP.

The issue is not small. Nearly four million students face food insecurity, with half of those being in dire situations, such as skipping meals due to not affording enough food. The majority of these students are considered nontraditional – they might be financially independent, delayed college enrollment, or have dependents. 

Low-income families and Pell Grant recipients reported high rates of food insecurity, suggesting that federal aid might not be enough to cover basic needs.

SNAP is meant to help low-income individuals with food costs, and 40 percent of food-insecure students could be eligible. But, the report reveals a significant majority are not taking advantage of the program. 

There's an increase in the number of eligible students not utilizing SNAP compared to a few years ago, which has sparked a call for the modernization of the Farm Bill to better serve students in need.

The complexity of SNAP's eligibility rules, along with the stigma of applying for food assistance, may discourage students from seeking help. Advocates suggest that colleges should identify students who could be eligible for SNAP and reach out. 

The Education Department has indeed provided guidance on how to use federal financial aid information to notify students of available federal benefits.

Check Out: SNAP Benefits and Food Security for College Students

It's believed that raising awareness among students about SNAP could be key. Universities and colleges can play a significant role in connecting students to the SNAP benefits for which they're eligible, without waiting for legislative changes. 

Advocates argue that by informing students about the help they can receive, schools may help keep students enrolled and moving toward graduation.

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