SNAP

Students attending an institution of higher education, like a college, university, trade school, or technical school more than half-time are eligible for SNAP IF they meet an exemption AND meet all other SNAP eligibility requirements. Mason defines half-time as registering for 6 credits for undergraduate students, and 4.5 credits for graduate students. Below is a breakdown of credit hours to help you identify whether or not you meet the SNAP eligibility requirement of being enrolled more than half-time:

As of January 16, 2021, a student is exempt if they meet one of the qualifications:

1. They are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work-study during the regular school year. Your school determines if you are eligible for work-study.

OR

2. They have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 0 in the current academic year (based on the FASFA- Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Students can always meet one of the following exemptions to qualify for SNAP:

• Are 17 years of age or younger or are age 50 or older.
• Are unable to work due to mental or physical limitations.
• Work an average of 20 hours a week in paid employment.
• Be employed in self-employment business for an average of 20 hours a week receiving weekly earnings at least equal to the minimum unemployment rate times 20.
• Participating in a state or federally financed work-study program.
• Care for a child under the age of 6.
• Care for a child age 6 to 11 and lack the necessary child care enabling you to attend school and work 20 hours a week or participate in work-study.
• Are a single parent enrolled full-time in college and taking care of a child under 12.
• Receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) assistance.
• Are enrolled in a TANF Virginia Initiative for Education and Work (VIEW) program.
• Be participating in an on-the-job training program.
• Are assigned to, placed in, or self-placed in a college or other institution of higher education through:
  • A SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) program;
  • Certain other E&T programs for low-income households, which are operated by a state or local government and have an equivalent component to SNAP E&T;
  • A program under Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA);
  • A Trade Adjustment Assistance Program under Section 236 of the Trade Act of 1974
  • Part of a career and technical education program as allowed by section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 provided the program or course of study is:
    • Designed to be completed in four years or less, or
    • Limited to remedial courses, literacy, adult education, or English as a second language.

Programs such as Fast Forward, Great Expectations, or the Chancellors Merit programs operated through the Virginia Community College system will meet the career and technical education goals to enhance participants’ employability.