H.R. 309 – Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act

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Updated January 20, 2026 at 2:09 AM UTC

The Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act amends the Higher Education Act to make colleges inform students who receive federal work‑study about their possible eligibility for SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). It requires schools that get federal grants to send an electronic notice that explains SNAP eligibility, how to apply, and provides contact information. The rule applies to any student receiving work‑study assistance, helping them access food assistance while in college.

Key Provisions

Adds a new subsection requiring institutions to send an electronic notification to each work‑study student about potential SNAP eligibility and how to obtain benefits.
The notification must be developed by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and be tailored to the student’s state of residence.
Includes an official document confirming the student’s work‑study status to satisfy SNAP eligibility exclusions.
Mandates the Secretaries of Education and Agriculture to issue guidance to states and colleges on identifying and communicating with likely SNAP‑eligible students.
Defines “eligible student” as a work‑study recipient and clarifies that SNAP refers to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

January 12, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 12, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

January 12, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 12, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 309

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 12, 2023

Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Takano, Ms. Jacobs, Mrs. Peltola, Ms. Williams of Georgia, Mrs. Beatty, Ms. Pressley, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Carbajal, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Norton, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Stansbury, Mr. Evans, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Meng, Ms. Titus, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr. Keating, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Trone, Mr. Levin, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Ms. Barragán, and Mrs. Hayes) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

A BILL

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education to provide notice to students receiving work-study assistance about potential eligibility for participation in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act.

2.

Notification regarding SNAP for students receiving Federal work-study assistance

Section 443 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087–53) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Notification regarding SNAP

(1)

In general

An institution receiving a grant under this part shall send a notification (by email or other electronic means) to each eligible student informing the student of their potential eligibility for participation in SNAP and the process for obtaining more information, confirming eligibility, and accessing benefits under that program. The notification shall be developed by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall include details on eligibility requirements for participation in SNAP that a student must satisfy. The notification shall be, to the extent practicable, specific to the student’s State of residence and shall provide contact information for the local office where an application for SNAP may be made.

(2)

Evidence of participation in federally financed work-study program

The notification under paragraph (1) shall include an official document confirming that the recipient is an eligible student sufficient for purposes of demonstrating that the exclusion from ineligibility for participation in SNAP under section 6(e)(4) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2015(e)(4)) applies to the student.

(3)

Guidance

The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide guidance to States and institutions of higher education on how to identify and communicate with students who are likely to be eligible for SNAP, including those eligible for a State or federally financed work-study program.

(4)

Definitions

For purposes of this subsection:

(A)

The term eligible student means a student receiving work-study assistance under this part.

(B)

The term SNAP means the supplemental nutrition assistance program (as defined in section 3(t) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 2012(t))).

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