Posted Date: August 27, 2008

More College Students Turn to Food Stamps

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More college students are turning to food stamps as prices rise for just about everything, including gas and food.
    People ages 18 to 25 make up roughly 8 percent of the state food stamp users in Washington state. Meanwhile a South Carolina student at Benedict College even started a Face book group called I Ain’t Afraid to be on Food Stamps.
   “A lot of students can’t call their mom every day to ask for that extra $50 dollars,” said Benedict College student Terry Capleton.
   “Some of the students are working their way through college with grants, loans and part-time jobs. Others are just reluctant to ask parents for more money,” said Capleton, who has graduated since starting the online chat group for students on food stamps.
   Still there are more on-campus food-assistance programs at many schools, including the Community College of Denver, which has seen demand double in the past year.
   Students generally are eligible for food stamps if they qualify for a state or federally funded work-study program; work at least 20 hours per week; have a child under the age of 12; or are taking employer-sponsored job training classes.

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