FNS shares information and policy guidance with state  SNAP agencies in part through its regional offices, the FNS website, and  annual conferences. Information about the Prevalence of Food Insecurity among College Students Nationally is Limited and Many Potentially Eligible, At-Risk Students Do Not Receive SNAP

		Studies Identify a Range of Food Insecurity Rates among Respondents, but Results Cannot Be Generalized to All Students

Our review of 31 studies provided some information regarding food  insecurity among college students, but all of the studies have limitations  and none provide estimates of food insecurity for this population in  general. Fifty-Seven Percent of Potentially Eligible Low- Income Students with Food Insecurity Risk Factors in 2016 Did Not Participate in SNAP

In our analysis of SNAP participation among students, we focused on  low-income students with at least one additional risk factor for food  insecurity because these students would likely meet the income threshold  for SNAP eligibility and have an additional risk factor that could put them  in need of food assistance. 2). Selected Colleges Are Using a Range of Approaches to Address Student Food Insecurity

The 14 selected colleges we contacted are addressing student food  insecurity in three main ways: by educating faculty, staff, and students; by  providing students free food and emergency assistance; and by  centralizing and coordinating their student services and helping students  apply for federal and state benefits. While SNAP Can Supplement Other Federal Aid for Some Low-Income Students, FNS Does Not Share Key Information to Help States Better Leverage SNAP to Assist Students

		Federal Programs Are Limited in the Extent to Which They Can Address the Needs of College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity

			Federal Student Aid Generally Does Not Cover All College Costs for Low-Income Students

Federal grant aid is available to help low-income college students and  their families pay for college, but for many students, the maximum  amount of grant aid available to them does not cover all of the costs  associated with attending college. Some State SNAP Agencies Are Assisting Potentially Eligible Students to Access SNAP Benefits

About one-third of state SNAP agencies reported they were taking actions  to inform college students about SNAP and help them access SNAP  benefits. College and State Officials Reported That FNS Does Not Share Key Information That Could Help Them Assist Students Experiencing Food Insecurity

At 9 of the 14 colleges we contacted, some officials and students we  spoke with indicated that they either did not know about or found it difficult  to understand the SNAP student rules. For  example, at one college we visited, two students said they were  misinformed by officials at their college or their state SNAP agency about  their potential eligibility for SNAP. Officials we met with at three colleges said that they would like  information from FNS about college student eligibility rules so they can  help educate and enroll students in SNAP, but FNS has not developed  such targeted information to distribute to colleges and students. FNS  has not made information that clearly explains student SNAP eligibility  requirements easily accessible to students and college officials and, as a  result, students experiencing food insecurity may remain unaware that  they could be eligible for SNAP. However, the agency agrees with the intent of GAO’s  recommendations and plans to review its existing guidance to determine  if any improvements are warranted. We continue to believe that additional  action is necessary to address our recommendations. Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

This report examines (1) what is known about the extent of food insecurity  among college students and their use of the Supplemental Nutrition  Assistance Program (SNAP); (2) how selected colleges are addressing  student food insecurity; and (3) the extent to which federal programs  assist college students experiencing food insecurity. We conducted a  review of academic studies based on original research to determine what  is known about food insecurity among college students. To assess federal efforts, we identified federal programs that may assist  college students in need of food, interviewed officials from Education and  USDA, and reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and agency  guidance and program documents, as well as federal internal controls  standards applicable to these programs. We analyzed data from the Department of Education’s (Education)  National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Note that students who did not know their parent’s highest education were  not counted as first generation students.
Why GAO Did This Study

Increasing evidence indicates that some college students are experiencing food insecurity, which can negatively impact their academic success. However, college students are only eligible for SNAP in certain cases. Given the substantial federal investment in higher education and the risk posed if students do not complete their degrees, GAO was asked to review food insecurity among college students.
This report examines (1) what is known about the extent of food insecurity among college students and their use of SNAP; (2) how selected colleges are addressing student food insecurity; and (3) the extent to which federal programs assist students experiencing food insecurity. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws and agency documents and studies on student food insecurity; analyzed 2016 federal student data (the most recent available), and visited four states, selected based on actions taken to address student food insecurity, geographic diversity, and other factors. GAO interviewed researchers; officials from Education, FNS national and regional offices; and officials at 14 colleges, including students at 8 of these colleges. GAO also emailed all state SNAP agencies about their efforts related to students.

What GAO Found

There is limited information about the national prevalence of food insecurity among college students. GAO reviewed 31 studies that identified a wide range of food insecurity rates among the students studied, but the studies did not provide national estimates. College students at risk of food insecurity may be eligible for benefits from the Food and Nutrition Service's (FNS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). However, GAO's analysis of Department of Education (Education) data shows that almost 2 million at-risk students who were potentially eligible for SNAP did not report receiving benefits in 2016. According to GAO's analysis, having a low income is the most common risk factor for food insecurity among college students. Among low-income students, most have one additional risk factor associated with food insecurity, such as being a first-generation student or a single parent.
The 14 selected colleges that GAO contacted were addressing student food insecurity in a number of ways. For example, all 14 were providing free food to students through on-campus food pantries, and most were offering emergency funds to help students pay for living expenses that might otherwise force them to choose between buying food or staying in school. Many of these colleges had centralized student services to better address their students' basic needs and provide other support, such as screening students for potential eligibility and helping them apply for federal benefit programs like SNAP.
Federal student aid generally does not cover all college costs for low-income students, and college students may have limited access to federal food assistance programs such as SNAP because of program eligibility restrictions. Some state SNAP agencies reported that they are taking steps to help students access SNAP by conducting outreach to colleges and developing guidance. Nevertheless, at 9 of the 14 colleges GAO contacted, some college officials and students said that they were unfamiliar with or did not fully understand SNAP's student eligibility rules. Some college officials said that they would like information from FNS to better explain SNAP student rules, but FNS has not made such information easily accessible on its website. Further, college officials and state SNAP agencies noted that FNS does not share examples of actions taken by other states to help eligible students access SNAP. Clarification of SNAP student eligibility rules and enhanced information sharing about state efforts could help ensure that potentially eligible college students can access federal food assistance programs.

What GAO Recommends

GAO recommends that FNS (1) improve student eligibility information on its website and (2) share information on state SNAP agencies' approaches to help eligible students. FNS partially concurred, and plans to review its information. GAO continues to believe additional action is warranted, as discussed in the report.