Low-Income College Students Eligible to Receive Food Assistance

College students will now be eligible to receive a little extra help.

Starting tomorrow (Thursday, April 1st,) college students in Michigan will become eligible for food assistance benefits. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services just recently made the announcement in an effort to help struggling college students get the food they need in this tough time.

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College students will be eligible if their families are not able to contribute to the cost of their college or if their school deems them eligible for federal or state work-study programs. Under those guidelines, around 200,000 college students in Michigan could apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

College students should not have to choose between furthering their education and putting food on the table – especially during a pandemic...I am pleased that we are able to work with the Biden administration to help college students in Michigan who are working hard to pursue their dreams...said Governor Whitmer.

This temporary change in benefits was approved by the federal government.

Many Michigan college students lost their jobs due to no fault of their own as a result of the pandemic...Expanding access to food and making it easier for our residents who are in need to apply for help are priorities of the department. Even before the pandemic, many students struggled to afford enough food while paying for college. These new changes will help students complete their education and reduce their food insecurity...said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel.

The new SNAP benefits for these students could be as much as $234 per month and would last 30 days after the federal public health emergency for the pandemic expires. To see more details or to apply for this food assistance, click here. 

Source: Mid-Michigan Now