B-410, Students in Higher Education

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

 

B—411 General Policy

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

A student in higher education is one who is enrolled at least half-time (as defined by the institution) in a college or university curriculum that offers degree programs, regardless of whether a high school diploma is required for admittance, or at a business, technical, trade or vocational school that normally requires a high school diploma or equivalent for admittance.

Student higher education policy does not apply to individuals:

  • under age 18 (students are 18 the month after the student's 18th birthday);
  • age 50 or older (students are 50 the month of the student's 50th birthday);
  • enrolled in curricula (such as beauty school or auto mechanics) that do not require a diploma or the equivalent for entrance; or
  • enrolled only in English as a second language curriculum.

Enrollment begins the first day of the first school term. For example, a high school senior might be accepted by a college and register for classes before graduation; however, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) does not consider the student enrolled until the first day of the college term.

Once enrolled, HHSC considers the student enrolled through vacation and recess, until the student graduates, is expelled, drops out, or does not intend to register for the next usual term, excluding summer school. A student remains enrolled between terms, breaks, and during summer vacations unless the student does not intend to return to school the next term.

 

B—412 Student Eligibility Requirements

Revision 21-1; Effective January 1, 2021

SNAP

A student qualifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if the student meets at least one of the followings:

  1. Unfit for employment. If not evident, proof is required from a certified doctor or psychologist, or receipt of permanent or temporary disability benefits issued by government or private sources must be verified.
  2. Employed for pay an average of 20 hours a week. If self-employed, the student must work an average of 20 hours a week and earn at least the federal minimum hourly wage.
  3. Participating during the regular school year in a state or federally-funded work study program. The student must be working at a job for pay or for dollar credits against tuition charges. This does not include students who must work for academic requirements, such as interns and student teachers. The student exemption begins the month the school term begins or the work study is approved to begin, whichever is later. The student exemption stops:
  • if the student quits working (unless it results solely from lack of work study funds); or
  • when there is a break between terms of a full calendar month or longer unless the student continues work study during the break.
  1. Enrolled in school through one of the following programs:
  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA);
  • Choices;
  • SNAP Employment and Training (E&T);
  • Trade Adjustment Assistance (a program administered by the Texas Workforce Commission); or
  • other state and local government training programs approved by state office as equivalent to E&T.
  1. Participating in an on-the-job training program (classroom study is not considered on-the-job-training for this purpose).
  2. Approved for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
  3. Responsible for the care of a dependent child who is a certified household member and the child is:
  • under 6 years old;
  • at least 6 but under 12, and the student states there is no other available child care, which prevents the student from attending class and complying with work requirements in #2 or #3 above.

    Note: If both parents or caretakers are students, both cannot obtain student eligibility by caring for the same child.
  1. A single parent (natural, adoptive or stepparent in the home or other single adult with parental control) who is:
  • enrolled full-time (as determined by the school); and
  • responsible for the care of a child under 12.

 

B—413 Ineligible Students

Revision 15-4; Effective October 1, 2015

SNAP

A student who does not meet the student eligibility requirements is not a member of the household. Do not count the student's income and resources for the remaining household members. If an ineligible student is also disqualified for another reason, the student is treated as a disqualified member.

If an ineligible student is also disqualified for another reason, the student is treated as a disqualified member. Advisors follow resource policy in A-1210, General Policy, and income policy in A-1362, Disqualified Members.

 

B—414 Work Registration

Revision 13-4; Effective October 1, 2013

SNAP

Eligible students are exempt from work registration during the regular school term. This exemption continues between terms, breaks and through scheduled school vacations for students who remain enrolled.

 

B—415 Verification Requirements

Revision 16-4; Effective October 1, 2016

SNAP

Staff must verify self-employment hours of students who work at least a weekly average of 20 hours and earn at least the federal minimum hourly wage. If the student does not provide verification by the due date, the student will be denied for failure to provide and is considered an ineligible student, unless they meet another student eligibility requirement as described in B-412, Student Eligibility Requirements.

 

B—416 Documentation Requirements

Revision 16-4; Effective October 1, 2016

SNAP

Advisors must document the student's eligibility, if questionable.