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SNAP College Employability Programs 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides a special exemption for eligible students who are enrolled in schools through or in compliance with a DHS-approved state or local program to increase future employability. To qualify, these students must be enrolled in a qualifying employment and training program.  

Get programs reviewed and approved!

Colleges can submit a formal request for an employment and training program to be reviewed and approved. To do so, the college must complete the following steps:

1. Complete the SNAP College Program Checklist
2. Email the completed checklist to DHS at RA-PWSNAPIHEElig@pa.gov. 


Program Eligibility 

Programs meeting the following conditions might qualify as programs enabling SNAP eligibility if the program: 

  • Primarily serves students from low-income households; 
  • Is operated by a state or local government or an instrumentality thereof; and 
  • Provides the equivalent of at least one allowable activity under SNAP E&T (7 CFR 273.7(e)(2)). 


Participating Programs 

The following programs are approved and students may be eligible for a student exemption if they enroll in school through or in compliance with one of the programs listed below: 



Participate in Student Outreach
DHS has developed a tool to help interested colleges perform targeted outreach to students who are potentially eligible for SNAP benefits. Institutions interested in participating in this project should email 
ra-pwsnapiheelig@pa.gov for more information.