College Students

4 in 10 Washington college students experience food insecurity.

SNAP can help.

SNAP Eligibility for College Students

For students of higher education in Washington, there are additional considerations when determining your eligibility for SNAP. If you are between the ages of 18-49 and enrolled at least half time in courses, these additional requirements apply to you.

Just like the general public, college students must be at or below the general income requirements for SNAP.

In addition to meeting the income requirements, college students must meet one or more of the following:

  • Employed (including self-employment) and working at least 80 hours a month, or an average of 20 hours per week

  • Participating in a state or federal work-study program

  • Responsible for more than 50% of the care of a child age 11 or younger

  • You are physically or mentally unable to work

  • You receive TANF benefits

For more details, explore this student eligibility checklist.

Income Limits

Effective until 3/31/2024

How to Apply

Benefits Hub

If you think you may be eligible for SNAP as a college student, there are lots of resources to help you through the application process.

If you are a community college student in King County, your campus has a Benefits Hub with trained coaches who are available to walk you through application.

You can also call the Family Food Hotline, which is staffed with specialists who are trained to answer all your questions about SNAP and assist you with the application.

Family Food Hotline

Washington Connections

Want to apply online? If you don’t need assistance with the SNAP application, you can submit an application through the Washington Connections website.

Make sure you are prepared for the application process by reading more about it here.