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More College Students Could Be Eligible For Food Assistance Program

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) — Many college campuses throughout the state have created food pantries for their students. And students might qualify for food stamp benefits as well because of new changes in the federal food assistance program.

College students walk on a campus
[Dan Konik | Statehouse News Bureau]
Joree Novotny with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks said SNAP, the program that provides food cards to needy families, was off limits to many low-income college students before. But they may qualify now because of changes made during the pandemic.

“Students that are enrolled more than half time and are eligible to participate in federal or state work study or have an expected family contribution of zero dollars on their most recent FAFSA may be eligible for SNAP even though they weren’t before,” Novotny said.

In addition, many colleges are using federal funds to help with outreach to students who might now qualify for SNAP benefits.