Student Food Assistance
When families have low incomes, schoolchildren are at risk of not getting adequate nutrition. Schools often offer programs to help them get nutritious meals at school. College students also have difficulty affording nutritious food, especially if they cannot work because of heavy course schedules or if they must put themselves through college.
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Free Meals at School
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Students in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools qualify for free meals at school if their families have low incomes. If their families receive food stamps they automatically qualify, but they can qualify even if their families do not receive food stamps based on their family's income. The National School Lunch Program reimburses schools for providing free lunches to students in need, as long as the meals meet nutritional standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some schools provide free breakfasts to students as well. Apply for free meals at your child's school.
Food Stamps
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College students who live on limited incomes can qualify for food stamps. If they live with their families, their families must have low incomes too, not just the students. Eligibility for food stamps is generally based on the incomes of the entire household. Apply for food stamps at the welfare office in the county in which you reside. You'll need to provide proof of your address and proof of all household income when you apply.
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Meals at College
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Colleges typically offer a variety of meal plans for students at differing costs. Students who live on campus frequently are required to enroll in one of the available meal plans. Sometimes a meal plan is included in the cost of room and board, in which case scholarships and financial aid that cover room and board also cover meals. Colleges seldom offer free or reduced-price meals to students, even if students find it difficult to afford the cost of meal plans. If it creates a hardship for you, however, you should speak to someone in your school's financial aid office or department of student services to see if assistance is available to you.
Food Pantries
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College students sometimes qualify for assistance from food pantries if they live alone. If the students live with their families, food pantries could take the incomes of the entire family into account when determining eligibility for assistance.
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References
- Photo Credit student image by Ivanna Buldakova from Fotolia.com
