Getting Food Stamps in College?
 

The other day, my friend told me while she was an undergrad she received food stamps, medicaid, and housing from the government. I didn't know those things were an option while in school, but now I see I could have qualified for food stamps at least. I mean I coulda had real shrimp instead of the type in the roman noodles!!!!!! :rolleyes:
Anyway.....

Did anyone or someone you know take advantage of any of the social programs while in college? What did you get? How did you feel about getting these services?

My cousin gets food stamps down in GA, attending Clark-Atlanta. I don't know exactly how she gets them but I do know I wish I was her!

I guess I would not have qualified because I worked three jobs while I was in school and that probably would have put me over the limit to receive assistance unless I lied about 2 of my jobs then I could have gotten a little something. Anyway, I wish I could have gotten something in school because I could have saved a lot of $$ on groceries and housing.

Students USUALLY qualify because with ONE job we're still below poverty level in most states which will at least give you the food stamps. Housing would have been trickier but if you want to try just contact your local office that handles that and see if you qualify.

Does anyone know if grad students, namely law students. can receive aid/ assistance?

I don't think they asked if we were in undergrad or not so I say it's worth a shot.

I foolishly burned some bridges in college and lost access to money for a time. I also foolishly got pregnant. For a period of time, I was getting provisional health care and food stamps. It's a little different situation, but in the process, I learned that a lot of students in my area were receiving govt. assistance for a time while in school.

I think that unless you are disabled or have a major life situation preventing you from working, you should not take advantage of the government this way. If you are a college student, there are loans available like everyone takes out to put you through college. Otherwise, you may need to go p/t and work. Also unfortunately many people WANT to go to certain schools and may get into them, but may need to go to a cheaper school if they cannot afford it. This is why many people who are eligible for government support cannot get it, or have such a difficult time getting the support. Most college students I think are perfectly capable of working or finding a more legit means of assistance to help put them through school. Wanting to only go to school and not work is not a major life situation that should make people eligible for government assistance IMHO.

I don't know directly the answer to this question, but I do have friends who are lawyers/in law school who have told me as an aside that there are programs in place for people who want to go into public defending-type law (where the pay sucks but since the salaries are so low, many people don't want to do this type of law) where if you go into this type of law, you can get your loans paid off. It is something to look into, again, don't know too much about it, or even if it is legit. I know NASW (National Assoc. of SW'ers) is trying to do the same thing for us because our salaries are so low and we are not eligible for any kind of assistance to help us in paying off our school loans. It stinks and I think so many of us get frustrated for going to school to try to better ourselves and end up living paycheck to paycheck. There is no easy answer though.

I received Medicaid while I was in college. I had never had health insurance until then, so I took advantage of it.

i think there is a lot of assumption in your post. Just b/c someone is in college doesn't mean they are financially sound. The college student may have dependents, hard times, and no money. Hopefully going thru college will allow them to have a job where they do not have to depend on welfare for life. Also many states require college students to have a part time job also to receive benefits. We all have unexpected things happen in our life, and there may be a need to apply for services. Next, if the state says that this person is qualified, then why not apply for it? Lastly, why take out extra loans (last sunday's church service was on dealt with accepting help and not getting into debt), that you will be paying back for ever when the government says that one's circumstances allow them aid. You are not defrauding anyone if you are eligible. Pride doesn't feed the stomach.

Getting Food Stamps in College
 

I'm a college senior and I've been getting foodstamps my whole college career. I'm from Louisiana and as long as you have a part-time job working at least 20 hours you can get food stamps. I feel that this helps out alot because working a part-time job the money can only go so far.

You pretty much said the same things I said. I did indicate that if you have a major life situation (ie. dependents as you mentioned) then certainly that is appropriate. Playing devils advocate though, as a Social Worker, I see *some* (not all) clients that could probably work but become dependent on the system. How long is the system going to be around for? If the benefits are there, and can help someone get on their feet, I recommend going for them, but with the understanding that one needs to be prepared for a time when they may not be there. I also think that because different states have different benefits systems it makes it harder for college students in say, NYC, to be eligible vs. say, GA. In the broader perspective of things, however, I think that for the majority of people, especially getting graduate degrees, it is very difficult NOT getting themselves into debt. I remember having a conversation about this while I was in graduate school and someone said that the government factors in your eligibility to get loans into whether or not you are able to be eligible for medicaid, food stamps, and that kinda thing (they count this as "income"). It's unfortunate but in our society and thanks to our govt's way of thinking, many people feel that benefits like food stamps are a privilige, and not a "right", and only "certain" people should be eligible. Like you said, if there is a single mother with no $$$ for food or childcare, you can't very well expect her to be able to come up with money for food and childcare, and tuition. But most people in our society are ignorant and think that "these" people are taking advantage of the system. It's also interesting to think about how many people are not even aware that these benefits may exist for them in their state. I think it's because in our society the idea is working=the way to go (not that I agree with this completely, but this is the message society seems to be sending). Also, it's not like the amount one gets each month in food stamps is a lot anyways. Some of my clients get like $100 or less a month for food. How do you live on $100 or less for food a month especially in someplace like NYC unless you are eating rice and beans every day. That's not exactly nutritious. I think again there is no easy solution and this is an age-old argument.

I received food stamps, medicaid, and financial assistance for two years in undergrad. I was working a part time job, but I was still under the poverty income level. I also did not have medical benefits at my job, so medicaid came in handy. I was very happy to receive my govt. assistance because I lived off-campus, and was very poor. If it were not for the food stamps, I probably would not have eaten during those years.

I knew of several students that received benefits in college. I actually considered applying at one point, but decided against it. I figured that I didn't want to use up the five years allowed by the government while in college. Although you hope that a college degree will provide you with some financial security, there is always a possibility that you may need assistance down the road as you age or have a family.