College Students

Students need to let Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) know what the student’s intended job will be after completing their education. DHS wants to understand the link between a student’s education and employment.

During their interview with a DHS worker, a student will need to share the reason they are going to school and how it is related to a job they want after they complete their undergraduate education (four-year program or less – this includes undergraduate, associates, certificate or short-term training programs).

Students should share a specific job they would like to do after they complete their education.

• For example, if a student is studying social work, they should share they want to be a social worker.
• Jobs that require an advanced degree, like lawyer or doctor, do not fit this criteria.

If a student meets this criteria, there are no work requirements for the student.

Though many more students in Oregon will qualify for SNAP under the new criteria, some may not (such as graduate students). For these students, there are still other ways to qualify.

• Be awarded work study–a student does not need to have a position secured when they apply, but a student needs to intend to find a position in the coming school term.
• Paid employee or self employed working an average of 20 hours a week
• Unable to work due to physical or physiological difficulties
• Responsible for the care of a child (age requirements apply)
• Participating in aWorkforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) approved program. Find these programs on the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL)–list sorted by school
• Receiving TANF
• Receiving Unemployment Compensation

• If a student’s meal plan pays for more than 51% of their meals per week than they are not eligible for SNAP. If the meal plan pays for less than half of a student’s meals per week, receiving a meal plan will not affect a student’s eligibility for SNAP. 
• Students under the age of 22 who still live with their parents or guardians must apply with their parents. 
• Financial aid received through the Veterans Administration or private scholarships count as income. 
• Students on break from school must still meet the criteria for which they are eligible for SNAP (i.e. if you qualify by working 20 hours a week, you’d need to keep doing this over summer break). 

Note: federal financial aid including Pell grants, Perkins loans, Stafford loans and most work-study is not counted as income against student eligibility. Students may defer federal student loan payments while receiving SNAP benefits without incurring interest charges.