The Greater Chicago Food Depository announced today that it has joined forces with the national young adult advocacy network, Young Invincibles, to champion a state-level bill in Illinois aimed at alleviating college student hunger. The bill expands and streamlines eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Illinois, ensuring that more students at public colleges and universities have access to the nutrition they need to thrive.
“With nearly one in four undergraduate students (approximately 3.8 million) experiencing food insecurity in the United States, student hunger is a growing crisis. It is essential that we modernize and expand the eligibility criteria for SNAP, as the nation’s largest nutrition assistance program, to meet the needs of today’s college students as they pursue their academic dreams," said Kate Maehr, executive director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Sponsored by State Senator Graciela Guzmán (20th District) and State Representative Barbara Hernandez (50th District), SB1298 and HB2750 aim to increase SNAP participation among college students, particularly those at community colleges, parenting students and students of color disproportionately affected by food insecurity.
“Today's college students come from diverse backgrounds. Many are from low-income households or are parents striving to build a better future for their families. Nevertheless, it is hard to succeed in school when you’re hungry. Helping students, including students of color disproportionately affected by food insecurity, succeed academically and economically is not only smart but also the right thing to do for the next generation,” said Senator Guzmán.
Nearly two thirds (67 percent) of students in the U.S. who are eligible for SNAP are not receiving benefits, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Many students are deterred from applying because they assume or are advised incorrectly that they are not eligible. Others who do apply are rejected in error because the rules for students are so complex.
Currently, students are not eligible for SNAP unless they meet special conditions, such as working at least 20 hours a week at a paid job in addition to going to school. The bill will streamline and expand eligibility for SNAP benefits, allowing all students at public colleges and universities in Illinois to benefit from the program provided they meet income and other eligibility requirements.
“Current eligibility requirements for college students are restrictive and unnecessarily complex,” said Representative Hernandez. “We should be making it easier for motivated students to get the support they need to achieve their academic goals, not create barriers. Expecting students to clock exact hours at a part-time job or prove to a caseworker that they don’t have adequate childcare while balancing classes at the same time is excessive and unfair.”
“Hunger should not be a part of the college experience. Expanding SNAP eligibility for college students is a crucial investment for young Illinoisians that cannot be ignored. When basic needs are not met students face increased stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges, which often lead to decreased focus, lower grades, and an increased likelihood of dropping out of school," said Jorge Arteaga, Midwest Policy and Advocacy Manager, Young Invincibles, which is co-leading the campaign for the bill.
The bill is expected to benefit approximately 91,000 students enrolled in community colleges and four-year universities, and more than 6,700 graduate students in Illinois.
“Food insecurity isn’t just a policy discussion for me—it’s a reality I’ve lived,” shared Hassan Hilliard, an Illinois State University student. “Cheap, processed meals were sometimes the only option, and fresh, nourishing food was a privilege we couldn’t always afford. When I got to college, the struggle didn’t disappear. Having to balance coursework, jobs, and life while also worrying about where my next meal would come from was sometimes overwhelming. I know firsthand what it feels like to push through hunger in class, to stretch a meal for days, and to feel the weight of shame when food resources seem just out of reach.”
"Far too many of our students experience food insecurity," said Chancellor Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago. "We are working closely with the Greater Chicago Food Depository to eliminate the barrier of hunger so our students can focus on their studies. A streamlined SNAP process for college students is a smart step that will address our students' basic needs and support them in reaching their college and career goals."
Increasing SNAP participation would bring an estimated $150 million in additional federal benefit dollars to Illinois residents, generating an additional $225 million in economic activity in the State of Illinois.
“Access to food is a critical necessity for college students to persist and succeed in their education,” said Representative La Shawn K. Ford. “In the same way that our state supports low-income students with free and reduced priced meals from K-12, Illinois must be a leader in ensuring our public college and university students have access to the meals they need to succeed through SNAP benefits.”
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