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Can college students get SNAP benefits?

Answered on October 31, 2026

Yes, college students can get SNAP benefits, but students enrolled at least half-time face an extra rule. In addition to the regular SNAP income and household rules, they usually need to meet at least one student exemption. Your school decides what counts as half-time enrollment.1

The most common exemptions are working at least 20 hours a week in paid work, participating in a state or federally financed work-study program, caring for a young child, receiving TANF, or being physically or mentally unfit for work. Students under 18 or age 50 or older are also exempt from the student rule.12

If you are enrolled less than half-time, the special student rule does not apply. You can still qualify if you meet the regular SNAP rules. Meeting a student exemption alone does not guarantee approval, so apply through your state SNAP agency and let them review your full situation.1

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Footnotes

  1. Students , fns.usda.gov. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. 7 CFR 273.5 - Students , codes.findlaw.com. ↩

  1. My EBT card shows as disconnected. What should I do?, October 31, 2026.
  2. How long does it take to get SNAP benefits after applying?, October 29, 2026.