SNAP College Employability Programs

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a special exemption for eligible students who are enrolled in schools through or in compliance with a DHS-approved state or local program to increase future employability. To qualify, these students must be enrolled in a qualifying employment and training program.  

• WATCH: Information on SNAP Eligibility & COMPASS Partnership (Webinar)

Program Eligibility 

Programs meeting the following conditions might qualify as programs enabling SNAP eligibility if the program: 

• Primarily serves students from low-income households; 
• Is operated by a state or local government or an instrumentality thereof; and 
• Provides the equivalent of at least one allowable activity under SNAP E&T (7 CFR 273.7(e)(2)). 
  

Participating Programs 

The following programs are approved and students may be eligible for a student exemption if they enroll in school through or in compliance with one of the programs listed below: 

• TRIO Upward Bound 
• Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEARUP)
• Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) 
  
• Chafee Education and Training Grant (Chafee ETG) 
• Act 101 Programs 
• Fostering Independence Tuition Waiver Program (FosterEd) 
  
• Title II Adult Basic Education