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H.R.5595 / 117th Congress

College Student Hunger Act of 2021

Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 15, 2021

College Student Hunger Act of 2021

This bill expands the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

SNAP eligibility for students is expanded to include certain low-income students who (1) are employed a minimum of 10 hours per week (currently 20 hours) during the regular school year, (2) are eligible for a federal Pell Grant, (3) have an expected family contribution equal to zero, or (4) are independent.

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Additionally, the bill directs

the Department of Education to provide notification to certain students regarding their eligibility for SNAP benefits,

the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an audit of the operations of the Food and Nutrition Service to examine the procedures and outreach practices used by the service to provide to states information about the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education for participation in the program,

USDA to update its state outreach plan guidance, and

USDA to implement projects to decrease student hunger at institutions of higher education and to reduce barriers to college students fully utilizing SNAP benefits at these institutions.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5] · D–FL

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
  • Education and Workforce Committee
47 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Introduced in House

  5. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.5595 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

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Individual rights and government power

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