Student Food Security Act of 2024

Where This Stands

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Signed

Currently IN_COMMITTEE. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

The Frame

What this does

If passed, this legislation would change federal eligibility rules for , potentially allowing more college students to receive food assistance, and would provide $1 billion annually in competitive grants to colleges to build infrastructure for basic needs like food, housing, and childcare.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

College students

Students may gain new eligibility for SNAP benefits and access to new campus-based support services.

Institutions of higher education

Colleges may apply for competitive federal grants to fund basic needs infrastructure and must participate in new data-sharing and reporting requirements.

What changed

Current stage: IN_COMMITTEE.

What's next

Floor Vote.

Background

The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 is the primary federal law governing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). context
The Higher Education Act of 1965 governs federal student financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and work-study. context

Summary

This bill expands eligibility for college students and creates a $1 billion annual grant program to help colleges address student food and housing insecurity. It also requires the Department of Education to notify students about their potential eligibility for various federal assistance programs when they apply for financial aid.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

If passed, this legislation would change federal eligibility rules for , potentially allowing more college students to receive food assistance, and would provide $1 billion annually in competitive grants to colleges to build infrastructure for basic needs like food, housing, and childcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who would be newly eligible for SNAP under this bill?

Students who are eligible for federal or state work-study programs, or students who meet financial criteria such as having a of 0 or qualifying for a maximum Federal .

Can I use my SNAP benefits at my campus dining hall?

The bill creates a demonstration program that would allow this at select institutions, but it is limited to 10 projects nationwide.

How much money is allocated for these grants?

$1 billion is authorized to be appropriated annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2031.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Integration of Financial Aid and Social Services

The bill marks a shift toward using the financial aid application process as a gateway to identify and enroll students in non-education federal benefit programs.

Department of Education Department of Agriculture

Connected Entities

personSmith, Anna G.“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

bill_numberHigher Education Act of 1965“Used for definition of institution of higher education”Map →

personWyden, Ron“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personDurbin, Richard J.“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personWarren, Elizabeth“Lead sponsor of the bill”Map →

personPadilla, Alex“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personMurphy, Timothy P.“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personVan Hollen, Charles E.“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personFetterman, John“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personSanders, Bernie“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personWelch, Peter“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

personMarkey, Jay“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

organizationU.S. Government Publishing Office“Source of the document”Map →

personBlumenthal, Richard“Co-sponsor of the bill”Map →

bill_numberFood and Nutrition Act of 2008“The Act being amended”Map →

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance85
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level