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College Student Hunger Act of 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 17, 2019

College Student Hunger Act of 2019

This bill expands the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).

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

Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee
5 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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