Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act

Bill Number

H.R. 3943

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2025-10-15T08:05:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act" (H.R. 3943) aims to reduce food insecurity among college students by requiring higher education institutions to inform certain students about their potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a federal program that provides food benefits to low-income individuals and families.

Key Provisions

• Notification Requirement: Institutions receiving federal work-study grants must send an electronic notice (e.g., email) to eligible students about SNAP eligibility, application processes, and benefits. The notice must include state-specific details and contact information for local SNAP offices.
• Supporting Documentation: The notice must include an official document verifying the student's participation in a federal work-study program, which exempts them from certain SNAP ineligibility rules for students.
• Guidance from Federal Agencies: The Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, must develop the notification content and provide guidance to states and institutions on identifying and reaching students likely eligible for SNAP.
• Definition of Eligible Students: Includes students receiving federal work-study assistance or those eligible for a Federal Pell Grant (a need-based grant for low-income undergraduates).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends Section 443 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 by adding a new subsection (f), which introduces a mandatory notification process. Previously, there was no federal requirement for higher education institutions to proactively inform work-study or Pell-eligible students about SNAP, though SNAP rules already allow certain students to qualify if they meet work or education requirements.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Low-income college students may gain easier access to food assistance, potentially improving their health, academic performance, and ability to complete degrees without hunger-related barriers.
• On Government Agencies: The Departments of Education and Agriculture will need to collaborate on creating standardized notifications and guidance, which could involve minor administrative costs but streamline connections between education and nutrition programs.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. programs.
• Overall, it could increase SNAP participation among students, reducing reliance on other campus resources like food pantries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Students: Primarily low-income undergraduates in work-study programs or eligible for Pell Grants, who may benefit from increased awareness of food support.
• Higher Education Institutions: Colleges and universities must implement and send notifications, adding to administrative duties but with federal guidance provided.
• Federal Agencies: U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture, responsible for developing materials and guidance.
• States and Local Offices: SNAP administrators at state and local levels may see increased applications from students, requiring better outreach coordination.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strengthens integration between education funding laws (Higher Education Act) and food assistance laws (Food and Nutrition Act of 2008) without altering core eligibility rules, potentially reducing administrative hurdles for SNAP exemptions for students.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it promotes equal access to federal benefits under the Spending Clause, supporting welfare programs without infringing on individual rights.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in addressing student hunger (introduced with cosponsors from both parties), potentially influencing future expansions of social safety nets in education, though implementation depends on congressional approval and funding.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

Cosponsors (37)

Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-12: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (4 pages)