Did you know that millions of college students each year have to worry about where their next meal is coming from—on top of their busy workloads? 

Approximately 4 million students in the U.S. today—1 in 4 undergraduates and about 1 in 6 graduate students—lack access to sufficient food. Unfortunately, food insecurity significantly impacts academic success, with affected students experiencing dropout rates 3.49 times higher and achieving lower GPA averages than their peers who are food secure.

While programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) exist to alleviate some of this burden (the government-run program provides low-income households with electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food) many college students face cumbersome barriers. 

For example, despite many college students being eligible, data shows that the complex application processes and inability to find sufficient information from their colleges (on top of a full workload) result in them not receiving these benefits. In fact, about two million eligible students are estimated to be missing out on crucial SNAP support.

The Opportunity to Address Hunger Act (OACHA) is a start to the solution.

If passed, OACHA would require colleges and universities to notify students in the Federal Work Study program about their potential SNAP eligibility. Institutions would then provide detailed guidance on how students can learn more about SNAP, confirm their eligibility, and access benefits tailored to their state of residence. Additionally, students would receive official documentation confirming their eligibility based on their work-study participation. 

The bill does NOT expand eligibility, but rather increases outreach to students who may already be eligible for the benefits.

OACHA would also require the Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture  to provide guidance on best practices for states and educational institutions to enhance outreach to potentially SNAP-eligible students. This proactive approach aims to remove barriers and ensure deserving students receive the sustenance they need to succeed.

Join us in urging Congress to support the Opportunity to Address Hunger Act. Together, we can:

• Reduce food insecurity among college students
• Improve academic outcomes and graduation rates
• Ensure equitable access to SNAP benefits without changing eligibility criteria

Sign this petition today to support our efforts in addressing food insecurity among college students and promoting a more inclusive educational environment.

 

 

 

 

Sources: 

•  U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: 2020 Undergraduate Students (NPSAS:UG). U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Postsecondary Student Aid Study: 2020 Graduate Students (NPSAS:GR). 

•  Tin, J.J., Williams, V., Perryment, G., & Montano, S.A. (2022). Prevalence of Food Insecurity in a Community College District: Relationship Between Food Security and Grade Point Average. Community College Journal of Research and Practice.

• https://www.padilla.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Opportunity-to-Address-College-Hunger-Act-One-Pager.pdf