A June 2026 analysis from the Institute for Higher Education Policy found that 42% of Pell Grant recipients experience food insecurity — nearly twice the rate of students who don't receive a Pell Grant. That gap is growing. SNAP cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act reduced food assistance for millions of Americans starting in 2025, and a projected $16.9 billion Pell Grant funding shortfall threatens to cut aid further. Students who rely on either program are facing pressure from both sides at once.

Two separate federal policy changes are colliding for the same group of students.

The first: SNAP cuts embedded in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law July 4, 2025. Between July 2025 and February 2026, nationwide SNAP participation fell by more than 3.5 million people, according to CNBC.1 An estimated three million young adults between 18 and 24 are at risk of losing benefits under the new rules.

The second: a projected $16.9 billion Pell Grant funding shortfall. If Congress doesn't act, the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) warns the shortfall could force reduced award amounts or reduced eligibility for the students who need it most.2

Neither change was designed specifically to target college students. But college students — especially low-income, first-generation, and adult learners — end up at the intersection of both.

What Changed With SNAP

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act shifted a significant portion of SNAP program costs to state governments and added new work requirements. Adults between 18 and 54 who don't have a dependent child under 18 must now work at least 20 hours per week to maintain SNAP eligibility.

For a college student taking 15 credits, that requirement creates a real conflict. Class time does not count as "work" for SNAP purposes. Students who are full-time in the classroom — and part-time employed, or not employed at all — are among those most likely to lose benefits.

SNAP work requirements count only paid employment, vocational training, or approved job search activities. Attending classes does not satisfy the 20-hour-per-week requirement, regardless of credit load.

The new rules hit young adults hardest. About three million Americans between 18 and 24 are at risk of losing benefits under the changes, according to CNBC analysis.1 That age range overlaps almost exactly with the traditional undergraduate population.

The Food Insecurity Numbers Before the Cuts

The IHEP analysis released in June 2026 gives context for how serious the baseline problem already was.2

  • 42% of Pell Grant recipients experience marginal, high, or very high food insecurity
  • That compares to roughly 22% of students who don't receive a Pell Grant — nearly twice the rate
  • Black, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Pell recipients face food insecurity at rates of 47–49%
  • The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice estimated approximately one in three college students experiences food insecurity across the full student population

— Among Pell Grant recipients, per IHEP analysis (June 2026)

These figures predate the SNAP changes. The IHEP analysis specifically flags the combination of cuts as a compound risk — not just one policy change, but two hitting simultaneously.

The Pell Grant Shortfall Problem

The Pell Grant was designed to cover a meaningful portion of college costs. At its peak in 1975–76, the maximum Pell Grant covered more than 75% of the average cost of attending a four-year public college. In 2023–24, it covered about 26% of that cost, per IHEP.2

The projected $16.9 billion shortfall means the maximum Pell Grant amount — already shrunk in real terms — could be reduced further, or eligibility thresholds could tighten. That affects the same students already stretched thin by SNAP changes.

Understanding how financial aid fits into your overall college cost picture matters more now than it did two years ago. The hidden costs of college — including food, transportation, and personal expenses — don't appear in the headline tuition figure, but they're real and they compound quickly for students with no financial cushion.

What Students and Families Can Do Now

1. Check SNAP eligibility — even if you assumed you didn't qualify.

The IHEP analysis found that 67% of SNAP-eligible college students don't receive benefits, often because of barriers like complex eligibility rules and limited awareness.2 Most students don't know they're eligible at all. Students who work part-time and are enrolled at least half-time may still qualify. Eligibility rules vary by state and household situation.

2. Contact your campus basic needs office.

The 2025–26 academic year saw a significant expansion in campus food pantry programs, emergency funds, and dining assistance at schools of all sizes. Inside Higher Ed documented how multiple colleges have formalized these programs specifically in response to rising need.3 If your school has a Dean of Students office, that's the fastest starting point.

3. File the FAFSA if you haven't for 2026–27.

Pell Grant eligibility is determined through the FAFSA. Any student who might qualify — including adult learners and students with complicated family finances — should file. The step-by-step FAFSA guide walks through the full process. Adult students often underestimate their Pell eligibility.

4. Look at scholarships outside of federal programs.

Federal programs have gotten less reliable. Private scholarships and institutional aid don't depend on Pell funding levels or SNAP policy. The scholarships guide covers how to find and apply for awards that aren't tied to federal budgets.

5. Talk to financial aid before fall semester starts.

If your financial situation has changed due to SNAP loss or any other reason, ask your school about a professional judgment appeal. Financial aid offices have discretion to adjust awards for documented changes in circumstances.

If you lost SNAP benefits due to the new work requirements, document the loss in writing. Financial aid appeals for special circumstances require evidence — a letter from your state agency or account termination notice counts.

The Bigger Picture

The IHEP analysis is careful to frame this as a persistence and completion problem, not just a hunger problem.2 Only 65% of Pell Grant recipients persisted in college or earned a credential within three years of enrollment, compared to 76% of students without a Pell Grant. Food insecurity is one driver of that gap.

Understanding the full cost of college — and building a plan that accounts for living expenses, not just tuition — is more important than ever right now. The college dining hall is one piece of that. So is knowing every resource available to you before fall arrives.

Footnotes

  1. CNBC. (2026, May 30). At least 3.5 million people have lost food stamp access as Trump's 'big beautiful bill' cuts take effect. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/30/snap-food-stamps-big-beautiful-bill.html ↩ ↩2

  2. Institute for Higher Education Policy. (2026). Federal SNAP Cuts and Pell Funding Shortfall Risk Worsening Disparities in Food Insecurity, College Persistence, and Attainment. https://www.ihep.org/snap-cuts-pell-shortfall-risk-worsening-disparities-in-food-insecurity-persistence-attainment/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  3. Inside Higher Ed. (2026, June 18). How 3 Colleges Are Meeting Students' Basic Needs. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2026/06/18/how-3-colleges-are-meeting-students-basic-needs ↩