Education at OHSU

Education at OHSU

SNAP enrollment assistance

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Important changes to SNAP benefits

With the COVID-19 public health emergency ending on May 11, flexibilities related to student eligibility for federal benefit programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are changing. We want to make sure our students who need to access SNAP benefits have information and support to navigate this new landscape.

  • OHSU students who are enrolled at least half-time AND who are NOT currently enrolled in SNAP should apply under the temporary student exemptions (if they have an EFC of 0) no later than June 9, 2023. The application can be found here: https://one.oregon.gov/
  • Students enrolled at OHSU at least half-time who ARE currently enrolled in SNAP benefits AND whose certification period ends in April, May, or June 2023, should apply no later than June 30, 2023, for recertification.
  • If students are unsure if they qualify under the SNAP eligibility requirements, please refer to this document and/or reach out to the FRC (food@ohsu.edu) or the Multnomah County SNAP Outreach Coordinators at snap@multco.us.
  • Students who currently receive SNAP benefits, and who have not already seen a decrease in their benefits, MAY see their benefits decreased after May 11, 2023

SNAP is a federal and state-funded program that provides food benefits to eligible, low-income individuals and families. There are special eligibility criteria for students. Have a question or need help? Just email one of OHSU's trained SNAP Support Team volunteers.

Poster addressed to students providing SNAP eligibility information

Apply for SNAP

Wondering if you are eligible?

View general SNAP eligibility criteria and specific eligibility criteria for students.  

You may be eligible if you meet the income guidelines found here, and any of the following are true.  You only need to meet one to move on to apply for benefits.

  • You qualify based on previous guidelines for students, such as: being in an undergraduate program leading directly to your intended career, working an average of 20 hours or more a week, being unable to work due to physical or physiological difficulties, being responsible for the care of a child, or other specific situations (see the Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon college students site for more details).   OR
  • Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is $0 on the FAFSA in the 2022-2023 academic year.  View instructions on how to check for a zero EFC   OR
  • You are eligible for federally financed work-study in the 2022-2023 academic year.  You will only want to submit this request if you do not meet one of the first two criteria. Please email finaid@ohsu.edu with a subject line of ‘SNAP Workstudy Eligibility’ requesting that the financial aid office check your eligibility for federal work-study.
  • Final eligibility can only be determined by the Department of Human Services once you submit an application, so we encourage you to apply if you think there's any chance you might qualify.
  • Some students experience getting denied the first time they apply. We strongly encourage you to re-apply or appeal if this happens. Please reach out directly to our Multnomah County SNAP Outreach Coordinators at snap@multco.us if this happens to you. 

Reasons to apply

The money you save could have a BIG impact on your family budget! As part of your SNAP benefits, you may be eligible for:

  • Economic deferment to help pay back federal student loans
  • Double SNAP dollars at many local farmers' markets (including the OHSU Farmers Market)
  • $5 tickets to some cultural events and art shows
  • Phone payment assistance programs can reduce your costs by as much as 50%
  • Assistance with internet payments
  • Free or reduced-cost school meals if you have children in K-12
  • Nutrition education with food vouchers for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Funds you receive and spend locally also support Oregon's economy and local businesses such as farmers' markets.

Stuck or want help applying?

Online resources:

Personal support:

  • If you live in Multnomah County, contact the MC SNAP Outreach Team
  • Contact 2-1-1, a nonprofit that connects people with health and social service resources

Have more questions about SNAP?

Please reach out to food@ohsu.edu. 

Please document the support you provided to each student via this short survey

New to the program or need a refresher?

Help us spread the word:

  • Help us spread the word about SNAP and the Student Food Resource Center to OHSU students!  You can use this one-slide version or more in-depth PowerPoint to share at meetings, presentations, or other outreach.  
  • Email us at food@ohsu.edu with what group you presented for and how many students attended.

Other helpful resources:

  • Consider using this SNAP checklist to guide your work with students
  • Also, check out this helpful SNAP Application Assistance Guide and SNAP College Toolkit from Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
  • If you're working with a student: View the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act's Eligible Training Provider List.  Those participating in one of these programs may meet the student criteria for participating in SNAP.  We are not aware of any OHSU programs being on this list, but students outside of OHSU may qualify. 
  • Have questions or need support? Email demunter@ohsu.edu