Getting Food Stamps in College?

[lil_sunshine]

I have begun to receive food stamps recently and I'm an undergrad student. I do NOT, however, qualify for Financial assistance at this time (I don't have a job) nor do I qualify for tuition assistance (I'm a single applicant with no kids). My best friend has been receiving public assistance for years (she has four children) and she has received tuition assistance for a trade school. She encouraged me to apply for public assistance a few years ago and I always felt like I was too good for that. Yet, circumstances and my father's insistence led me to apply for food stamps. I still receive them and I am hoping they will transfer when I move to attend law school.

[BirthaBlue4]

I don't think that being in college should be a "factor" of applying. If you live on campus and have a meal plan, its kinda unnecessary. However, if you live off campus or at home, you'll have way more expenses, so of course you may need some additional assistance.

But, if you're in college, which can be very demanding, depending on your program, you should be able to concentrate, so you can go ahead and finish. This can help some people graduate and not have to overstress. And when you graduate and get a job, you won't need it anymore.

[so anxious]

I get foodstamps....I have been getting them ever since my soph. year (I'm now a graduating senior and I hope to continue getting foodstamps through law school)

In order to qualify you need:

To have your Social Security card

You need proof of residence (a letter from the office of residence life) or a copy of your lease.

You need a print out from the office of financial aid (its a special form that the office has for this purpose)

In Washington, DC you need to have a job to qualify for foodstamps BUT for students....

if you recieve Federal Work Study you automatically qualify

if you don't have work study then you must work at least 20 hours a week in order to qualify.

Sidenote: I would encourage every student that qualifies for this assistance to go head and use it. Students have enough stress, financial woes and foodstamps provide a major comfront (for me atleast). This year alone I'm taking my LSAT and having to pay application fees, aside from graduating fees, rent, and personals. Not having to pay additional monies for food is a major comfront.

I personally don't feel that I'm taking benefits away from others because currently I'm investing in my life and once I'm finished with my education I will be in a better position to give back (community services, taxes, etc.).

[missjeff]

Hopefully you can get them downsouth in law school also, because in undergrad they really helped me out. I agree with you applying to law school is expensive and that extra money I'm saving on food is a big help.

[SouthrnBelle]

Well I'm sorry to those who feel that just because you're in college, you don't need government assistance. I recieved food stamps as an undergrad and I needed it. I worked on campus 20 hrs a week and had federal work study, but guess what $5.25 an hr doesn't pay utilities, rent, and buy groceries! Thank God I am now in grad school and have an assistantship, so I no longer qualify b/c I am over the max. amount for 1 person to recieve benefits.

There are guidelines and as long as you meet them you're good to go. It's not like I just sat up, did nothing and ate steak w/ my Link Card. I worked, but it wasnt enough.