Closing the College Hunger Gap Act

Legislative Summary: Closing the College Hunger Gap Act (H.R. 777)

Overview

The Closing the College Hunger Gap Act is a targeted piece of legislation designed to combat food insecurity among low-income college students. The bill seeks to bridge the information gap between students struggling financially and the federal nutritional assistance available to them by requiring the Department of Education to proactively notify eligible students about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Purpose and Intent

The primary goal of this Act is to ensure that students with the highest financial need are aware of their potential eligibility for SNAP benefits. By leveraging existing financial aid data, the bill aims to increase the enrollment of eligible students in nutrition programs, thereby reducing hunger and improving academic outcomes for disadvantaged students.

Key Provisions

The bill amends Section 483 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to implement the following:

• Mandatory Notification: The Secretary of Education must send information regarding SNAP eligibility and the application process to specific students.
• Multi-Channel Communication: Information must be delivered to students in both written and electronic forms.
• Local Guidance: All communications must include the contact information for the specific State agency responsible for administering SNAP in the student's state of residence.
• Inter-Agency Collaboration: The Secretary of Education is required to consult with the Secretary of Agriculture and other relevant Federal or State agencies to design the communication materials.

Who is Affected?

The bill specifically targets students based on their financial aid status:
* Eligible Students: The notification requirement applies to any student who has a negative or zero Student Aid Index (SAI) for the year. This identifier marks students with the highest level of financial need according to federal financial aid formulas.
* Government Agencies: The Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be responsible for the coordination and execution of these notifications.

Timeline and Implementation

• Effective Date: The provisions of this Act will take effect 120 days after the date of enactment.
• Current Status: As of January 28, 2025, the bill has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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