Ed Department directs colleges to get eligible students on SNAP before expansion expires

Colleges should immediately reach out to students who qualify for federal food benefits and help them enroll before a COVID-19-era expansion to the program expires, according to new guidance released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education. During the pandemic, emergency government aid opened the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to all college students enrolled at least half-time who were eligible for work-study programs or had an expected family contribution of $0. The Education Department is now urging higher ed institutions to connect their students to SNAP resources before the expansion ends in the coming weeks.