About 3.8 million college students experienced food insecurity in 2020. A majority reported multiple instances of eating less than they should or skipping meals because they couldn’t afford enough food.
Some college students may qualify for Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits—the nation’s largest such program for low-income households, formerly known as “food stamps.” But they must meet other eligibility criteria specifically for college students, such as working while in school or being a single parent.
The US Government Accountability Office found that about 59% of food insecure students who were potentially eligible for SNAP didn’t report receiving benefits.
