3245 Students

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
SNAP Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Students

Effective Date:

May 2024

Chapter:

3200

Policy Number:

3245

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT-72

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-77

Requirements

An individual aged 18 to 49, who is enrolled at least half-time in an institution of higher education must meet special eligibility criteria to be eligible for SNAP benefits.

Basic Considerations

An individual is considered to be enrolled in an institution of higher education if the individual is enrolled in:

  • A business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) before enrollment or prior to completion of the program

    OR

  • A regular curriculum at a college or university that results in a degree, certificate or diploma regardless of whether a high school diploma is required.

Students enrolled in on-line classes, CD-ROM, DVD, Hybrid classes, and other courses are considered to be enrolled in an institution of higher education if the course (s) meets the above criteria.

An AU member enrolled in a post-secondary institution that is not an institution of higher education or is enrolled in an institution of higher education less than half time is not defined as a student in higher education for SNAP purposes and is not subject to the student eligibility criteria.

Courses Not Considered Higher Education

If a college normally requires a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) but does not require either for a particular program or course, enrollment in such a program or course does not constitute enrollment in an institution of higher education.

The following courses fall in this category:

  • English as a second language

  • High school completion and GED courses

  • Courses that are not a part of the regular college curriculum

  • A Workforce Investment Act (WIA) program contracted by the college

  • Continuing education or skill building courses

  • Extra curricula courses

Student Eligibility Criteria

A student enrolled in an institution of higher education is eligible to participate in the SNAP if she/he qualifies for one of the following exemptions:

  • is age 17 or younger or age 50 or older

  • is physically or mentally unfit (unfitness may be a temporary incapacity or a permanent disability). Obtain a statement from a physician/medical source or a certified mental health provider. Receipt of or certification for a temporary or permanent disability benefit such as SSI, RSDI, VA, Railroad Retirement, or Workers Compensation, is acceptable verification of a disability or incapacity.

  • is employed an average of 20 hours per week and is paid for such employment (in-kind income does not qualify for this student exemption).

  • is self-employed for an average of 20 hours per week and receives gross weekly earnings at least equal to the federal minimum wage times 20 hours (in-kind income does not qualify for this student exemption).

  • participates in an on-the-job training program. Participation in the training program is limited to the time the person is being trained by the employer.

  • participate in a state or federally financed work study program during the regular school year

  • receives TANF benefits

  • participates in TANF work requirements with education as part of this plan

  • is assigned to or placed in an institution of higher education through or in compliance with the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) of 1974, or Section 264 of the Trade Act of 1974

  • participates in the SNAP Works Program, which is the SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) program with education as part of the work plan OR another E&T program or activity approved by (E&T)

  • is responsible for the care of a dependent child under the age of six

  • is responsible for the care of a dependent AU member who is age six but under age 12, for whom adequate child care is not available to enable the student to attend class and comply with work requirements by either working an average of 20 hours per week if employed or self-employed or by participating in a work study program

  • is a single parent (natural, adoptive, step or when no parent is present, an individual who has parental control) enrolled in an institution of higher education on a full time basis and is responsible for the care of a dependent child under age 12 who is in the same SNAP AU as the parent.

Determine if a student is responsible for the care of a dependent child by using the following criteria:

  • the student is the parent of the minor child;

  • when no parent is present, the student has parental control of the minor child;

  • the student is responsible for the physical care of the child. Financial support of the child is not a determining factor.

    The student has an obligation as a caretaker to care for the basic needs and well-being of the minor child. The child does not have to be in the home in order for the student to be responsible for the child’s care.
    Only one parent in the AU can claim the status of a caretaker responsible for a dependent child.

The client’s statement may be accepted for student status, but note that third-party verification is required for exemption as a student for work registration status. Contact the institution to verify if the student is enrolled at least half-time, if questionable.

A student is ineligible for SNAP if the institution provides a majority (more than 50 percent of three meals daily) of the student’s meals each day. For example, if the student’s meals are provided by the school and included in the tuition or fees, then the student may be considered a boarder. These students are considered residents of an institution and ineligible for SNAP benefits.

Individuals who do not receive the majority of their meals from a meal plan are not residents of an institution and may be eligible for SNAP, if they meet other eligibility criteria.

The income and resources of the ineligible student will not be considered when determining the eligibility and benefit level of the eligible AU members.

Any money an ineligible student gives to the AU counts as unearned income. A payment made by an ineligible student on behalf of the AU directly to a third party is treated as a vendor payment.

The enrollment status begins on the first day of the school term of the institution of higher education and continues through normal periods of class attendance, vacation, and recess. For example, a high school senior may be accepted by a college and registered for classes before graduation; however, the person is not considered to be enrolled in school until the first day of the school term.

Student status ends when one of the following occurs:

  • student graduates

  • student is suspended or expelled

  • student drops out of school

  • student does not intend to register for the next normal school term (excluding summer school).

Refer to 3420 Income for policy regarding educational Income.

Educational income that is excluded in the SNAP budget includes the following:

  • Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG)

  • Pell Grant

  • Federal Supplement Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

  • State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG)

  • Federal Direct Student Loan Program (FDSLP)

  • FFELP, includes Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, Consolidated Loan, PLUS Program

  • Federal Airlines Loan Program

  • Bureau of Indian Affairs Adult Education, Higher Education, GED, Job Training and Technical School Programs

  • Federal Work Study Programs

  • TRIO Grants such as Upward Bound, Robert E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement, Student Support Services

  • Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship

  • College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

  • High School Equivalency Program (HEP)

  • National Early Intervention Scholarship and Partnership Program

  • HOPE Scholarship

  • Educational assistance received through the Montgomery GI Bill

This list is not all inclusive.

Verification

Form 875, Verification of Educational Assistance Income, may be used to verify a student’s eligibility through the work study criterion.