SUBJECT:
STUDENTS IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FOOD STAMP MANUAL REVISION #8
1135.025.00
DISCUSSION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify for food stamp purposes when an individual is considered enrolled in an institution of higher education. An individual is considered a student enrolled in an institution of higher education if attending:
- A business, technical, trade, or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalency certificate for enrollment in the curriculum, or
- A regular curriculum at a college or university that offers degree programs regardless of whether a high school diploma is required.
Students are considered enrolled in institutions of higher education regardless of the method of instruction. Students enrolled in on-campus classes, Internet classes, CD-ROM, DVD, hybrid classes, and other types of classes are considered enrolled in an institution of higher education if the school requires a high school diploma or equivalency certificate for enrollment or if the class is part of a regular curriculum at a college or university that offers a degree program regardless of whether a high school diploma is required.
An EU member who is not enrolled in an institution of higher education at least half-time is not considered to be a student for food stamp purposes. The school must verify if the student is enrolled in courses that constitute at least half-time attendance.
The student must also meet one of the criteria outlined in the Food Stamp Manual Section 1135.025.00 to be considered an eligible student. The EU must meet all other food stamp eligibility criteria to be eligible for food stamp benefits.
EXAMPLE: Latisha is enrolled in Internet classes through Columbia University. Latisha states she is a full-time student. An FA-321, Student Income Verification form, is completed and returned by Columbia University stating Latisha is enrolled in a regular curriculum that offers a degree and that she is enrolled full-time. Latisha is considered a student enrolled in an institution of higher education. She must meet at least one of the criteria outlined in the Food Stamp Manual Section 1135.025.00 to be considered eligible for food stamps.
EXAMPLE: Samuel is enrolled in correspondence courses through Columbia University. Samuel states he is spending full-time in his course of study. An FA-321, Student Income Verification form, is completed and returned by Columbia University stating Samuel is enrolled in courses that can be applied to a regular degree program, but there is no time frame in which to complete the course. They cannot verify that he is attending at least half-time. Samuel is not a student for food stamp purposes because he is not attending an institution of higher education at least half-time.
The Food Stamp Manual is revised removing the statement that an EU member enrolled in correspondence courses is not considered a student and to provide clarification on when student status starts and continues.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.