WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) recently reintroduced the Closing the College Hunger Gap Act, legislation to direct the U.S. Secretary of Education to notify college students of their eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) based on information reported through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
According to a 2024 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, an estimated 3.8 million students experience food insecurity on college campuses. No less concerning, 2.2 million students report very low food security – meaning they report multiple instances of eating less than they should or skipping meals because they could not afford enough food. A student survey at the University of Connecticut (UConn) found that across each of its campuses, 38% of students faced food insecurity, and about 30% of students reported skipping meals to save money.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help to close food security gaps. Unfortunately, too few students are informed of their eligibility for the program. Of the 3.3 million students estimated to be potentially eligible for SNAP under standard student exemptions, an estimated 67% —2.2 million students—did not receive benefits.
“Throughout my career in education, I witnessed firsthand how lack of access to regular meals can negatively impact academic outcomes.” said Congresswoman Hayes. “The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act will ensure students are informed of their eligibility for SNAP and given the knowledge to complete the application process. This legislation is a first step in addressing food insecurity on college campuses in Connecticut and across the country.”
The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act is endorsed by Connecticut Foodshare, End Hunger CT!, Feeding America, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) and the National Education Association.
“At a time when food insecurity is increasing nationwide, a 23% increase in Connecticut last year alone, Representative Hayes’ leadership on the ‘Closing the College Hunger Gap Act’ is more important than ever. Connecticut Foodshare is proud to endorse this bill and looks forward to working together with our fellow advocates on this issue.” – Jason Jakubowski, President & CEO, Connecticut Foodshare
"We must do all we can to help our young people be their best. This legislation helps put our college and university students on a path to success, and we wholeheartedly support it," said Julieth Callejas, executive director of End Hunger CT!
“For many college students, hunger is a significant barrier to academic success,” said Vince Hall, Feeding America Chief Government Relations Officer. “The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act, introduced by Representative Jahana Hayes, would take a pragmatic and necessary approach to helping more eligible college students access grocery assistance benefits through SNAP, our nation’s most efficient anti-hunger program. Campus food pantries are crucial resources, but we need a multi-pronged approach to make meaningful progress in ending hunger among college students. Feeding America is proud to endorse this bill, which would help more college students access nutritious food so they can focus on their education and future careers, rather than worrying about their next meal.”
“Too many college students in this country face barriers to accessing the nutrition they need for their health and academic performance,” said Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act would remove unnecessary restrictions on program eligibility, allowing more students to access the SNAP benefits they need to keep hunger at bay. FRAC commends Congresswoman Jahana Hayes for her ongoing leadership in advancing this legislation, which represents a significant step toward ending college hunger. We strongly urge Members of Congress to support this bill.”
The legislation has been cosponsored by Representatives Alma Adams (NC-12), Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Johnathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), James McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At-Large), Stacey E. Plaskett (VI-At-Large), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Mark Takano (CA-39), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).