DTA is implementating a food stamp/SNAP policy change to allow many more community college students to qualify for benefits.  College students can qualify for food stamp/ SNAP benefits if they meet certain criteria, including if they are enrolled in a  “state and local government employment and training program.”  Under the new DTA policy, community college students who are enrolled in any certificate or degree program that is considered a “Perkins eligible” career and technical education program (or that the college otherwise determines will lead to employment) will now qualify for SNAP. This definition not only includes degree programs such as accounting, business administration,
computer programming, biotechnology, early education, criminal justice, marketing, etc - but may also include certain liberal arts majors (such as Health Science, Media Arts, etc) that the college determines meets the Perkins eligible criteria.  This policy will help support low income students as they strive to finish education become more employable in this tough economy.