HR 777119th CongressIn Committee

Closing the College Hunger Gap Act

Introduced: Jan 28, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education to proactively send information about potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to certain FAFSA filers. Specifically, for each year in which a student with a negative or zero Student Aid Index (SAI) submits a FAFSA, the Secretary must provide written and electronic notices about SNAP eligibility and how to apply, including the contact information for the state SNAP agency where the student resides. The Department must design these communications in coordination with the Secretary of Agriculture and other applicable agencies. The bill takes effect 120 days after enactment. In short, the bill aims to connect low-need or financially stressed college students with SNAP resources by delivering targeted information via the federal student aid process, with the goal of reducing food insecurity among students.

Key Points

1Target group: Students who submit a FAFSA and have a negative or zero Student Aid Index (SAI) for the year (i.e., very low or no expected federal financial aid).
2Information provided: Written and electronic notices about potential SNAP eligibility and how to apply, including the contact information for the state SNAP agency in the student’s state of residence.
3Interagency coordination: The Education Secretary must consult with the Agriculture Secretary and other applicable federal or state agencies in designing the communications.
4Legal placement: The requirement is added as new subsection (e) to Section 483 of the Higher Education Act.
5Effective date: The provisions become effective 120 days after enactment.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Low-income or financially strained college students who file FAFSA and have a negative or zero SAI; they stand to gain improved awareness of SNAP and how to access benefits.Secondary group/area affected: State SNAP agencies and federal- and state-level administration of SNAP, which may see increased inquiries and enrollments; higher education institutions and financial aid offices may notice changes in communications with students.Additional impacts:- Privacy and outreach considerations, since a federal agency would share SNAP information with eligible students via FAFSA submissions.- Administrative and operational costs for the Department of Education (and potentially state agencies) to develop, implement, and maintain the messaging and ensure accessibility (e.g., multilingual or accessible formats).- Potential policy impact on college hunger reduction, food security among students, and overall student retention and success if SNAP outreach translates into higher participation.

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