Closing the College Hunger Gap Act
Key claim: The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act would require the Department of Education to notify FAFSA applicants with a zero or negative student aid index of potential SNAP eligibility and provide state SNAP agency contact information.
Abstract
(HR777 · 119th Congress) Closing the College Hunger Gap Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to send information regarding potential eligibility for assistance under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to certain college students. Specifically, ED must send this information, in both written and electronic form, to a student who submits the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and has a negative or zero student aid index for the year. ED must also provide the student with contact information for the state agency that administers SNAP in the state in which the student resides. ED must consult with the Department of Agriculture and other applicable federal or state agencies to design the written and electronic communications regarding potential SNAP eligibility and the SNAP application process. Latest action (2025-01-28): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Why this matters
College food insecurity has been a persistent gap between federal student aid systems and SNAP, with many Pell-eligible students unaware they may also qualify for nutrition benefits. Requiring the Department of Education to flag SNAP potential eligibility during the FAFSA process could increase take-up among low-income students without changing eligibility rules, affecting student well-being and state SNAP caseloads while leaving benefit levels and food prices unchanged.