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The Enhanced Access to SNAP Act (EATS Act), introduced by Representatives Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Josh Harder (D-CA), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), would put college students with lower incomes on an equal footing with other people who would be eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under H.R. 1919, SNAP would no longer condition eligibility for most people attending college at least half time on performing work study or 20 hours or more per week of outside employment. (Students would still need to meet the income and other qualifications that all SNAP applicants must satisfy.)

COVID-19 and the unexpected switch to remote learning have negatively impacted college students’ academic performance, mental health, and food security. Even before the pandemic, food insecurity was widespread across the most well-resourced campuses.
Food insecurity has historically and disproportionately affected students of color, older students, former foster youth, parenting students, students who experienced childhood food insecurity, and first-generation college students.

A recent report released by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, an action research center focused on advancing changes to meet real college students’ needs, focuses on the experiences and basic needs of students parenting while in college. The purpose of this report is to draw attention to the reality for most parenting students and promote policy changes and practices that can offer the best support.