Closing the College Hunger Gap Act

Key Points

• This bill requires the Department of Education to tell certain college students they might be eligible for food stamps, also known as SNAP. This would happen after a student fills out the FAFSA, which is the form used to apply for federal financial aid for college.
• The policy targets students with the highest financial need. Specifically, it applies to those with a zero or negative student aid index, meaning the government has determined they have very little or no money to pay for school.
• Eligible students would receive both a letter and an email explaining how to apply for food assistance. These messages must include contact information for the specific state agency that manages food stamps in the state where the student lives.
• The goal is to help students who struggle to afford food while in college. Many students qualify for help but do not realize it, so this bill aims to make sure they get the information they need to stay fed and focused on their studies.
• If this bill becomes law, the Department of Education would have 120 days to start sending these notifications to students.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.