The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides food benefits to low-income households to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.

Applying for SNAP

If you are planning to apply for SNAP with one of the partners below, make an appointment with Taylor Allgood, the Market's director! Taylor can connect interested students with contacts at Hunger Solutions for further support.
Make an Appointment with Taylor

Students interested in applying for SNAP should reach out to one of our local partners based on their location. SNAP applications are reviewed by state agencies, and our community partners can help support applications for a state's specific process.
DC Hunger Solutions  MD Hunger Solutions  VA Hunger Solutions

Eligibility for SNAP as College Student

College students can apply for the program, however, there are several additional conditions they must meet to receive SNAP. If a student is enrolled less than half time, they do not have to meet the conditions below and can apply for SNAP as normal.

First, students are not eligible for SNAP if they live in a residence hall and if they participate in a meal plan that provides the majority of their meals. (All full AU meal plans include unlimited TDR access for 4 days a week or more, covering half or more meals a week. Some of the flex meal plans may provide less than half.)

Second, students must meet at least one of the following criteria if they are enrolled more than half time:

• Participate in a state or federally financed work study program.

• Work at least 20 hours a week in paid employment. If you are self-employed, you must work at least 20 hours a week and receive weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage multiplied by 20 hours.

• Participate in an on-the-job training program.

• Are under age 18 or are age 50 or older. 

• Are physically or mentally unfit. 

• Care for a child under the age of 6. 

• Care for a child age 6 to 11 and lack the necessary child care enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in work study. 

• Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12. 

• Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance. 

• Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through the Job Training Partnership Act, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Trade Readjustment Assistance, or SNAP Employment and Training.

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