Sponsors (142)
The bill extends SNAP eligibility to half-time students to reduce food insecurity and simplify federal rules, trading increased federal spending and short-term administrative work for broader access to nutrition support and potential academic benefits.
Students enrolled at least half-time at colleges or training programs become eligible for SNAP, expanding food assistance access for low-income students.
Low-income and young-adult students likely experience reduced food insecurity and potentially better academic outcomes (e.g., retention, completion) because of the expanded safety net.
Federal administration is simplified by removing special student-eligibility rules and cross-references, reducing complexity for USDA/FNS processing.
Taxpayers and the federal budget face higher costs because more people will qualify for SNAP benefits.
States and colleges/universities will incur short-term administrative burdens to update eligibility determinations, systems, and outreach to newly eligible students.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Explicitly makes bona fide half‑time students in recognized schools or training programs eligible for SNAP by removing the special student‑eligibility rules.
Official title: To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to remove certain eligibility disqualifications that restrict otherwise eligible students enrolled in institutions of higher education from participating in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.
Introduced July 29, 2025 by Jimmy Gomez · Last progress July 29, 2025
Expands SNAP eligibility by making individuals who are bona fide students enrolled at least half time in any recognized school, training program, or institution of higher education explicitly eligible. It removes the separate special student‑eligibility rules and related exclusions in current law so half‑time students no longer face the prior statutory barriers to SNAP participation, effective January 2, 2026.