FOOD INSECURITY Better Information Could Help Eligible College Students Access Federal Food Assistance Benefits

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There is limited information about the national prevalence of food insecurity among college students . GAO reviewed 31 studies that identified a wide range of food insecurity rates among the students studied, but the studies did not provide national estimates. C ollege students at risk of food insecurity may be eligible for benefits from the Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) . However, GAO’s analysis of Department of Education (Education) data shows that almost 2 million at-risk students who we re potentially eligible for SNAP did not report receiving benefits in 2016. According to GAO’s analysis , having a low income is the most common risk factor for food insecurity among college students . Among low -income students , most have one additional risk factor associated with food insecurity, such as being a first -generation student or a single parent. The 14 selected colleges that GAO contacted were addressing student food insecurity in a number of ways. For example, all 14 were providing free food to students through on -campus food pantries, and most were offering emergency funds to help students pay for living expenses that might otherwise force them to choose between buying food or staying in school. Many of these colleges had centralized student services to better address their students’ basic needs and provide other support, such as screening students for potential eligibility and helping them apply for federal benefit programs like SNAP. 

Selected Colleges’ Initiatives to Address Student Food Insecurity 

Federal student aid generally does not cover all college costs f or low -income stud ents, and college students may have limited access to federal food assistance programs such as SNAP because of program eligibility restrictions. Some state SNAP agencies reported that they are taking steps to help students access SNAP by conducting outreach to colleges and developing guidance. Nevertheless , at 9 of the 14 colleges GAO contacted, some college officials and students said that they were unfamiliar with or did not fully understand SNAP’s student eligibility rules . Some college officials said that they would like information from FNS to better explain SNAP student rules, but FNS has not made such information easily accessible on its website . Further, college officials and state SNAP agenc ies noted that FNS does not share examples of actions taken by other states to help eligible students access SNAP . Clarification of SNAP student eligibility rules and enhanced inf ormation sharing about state effort s could help ensure that potentially eligible college students can access federal food assistance programs .