US Federal House Bill HB3943

US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/12/25
• Refer: 6/12/25

Caption

Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act

Summary

HB3943, titled the Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act, would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require colleges and universities that participate in the federal work-study program to notify certain students that they may also be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The notification must be sent electronically and explain how students can learn more, confirm eligibility, and apply for benefits. It must also be developed by the U.S. Department of Education in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and, where practicable, tailored to the student’s state of residence with local SNAP office contact information. The bill also requires the notice to include an official document confirming the student’s participation in federally financed work-study, so the student can use it to show that the work-study-related SNAP eligibility exclusion applies. In addition, the Secretary of Education must issue guidance to states and institutions on identifying and communicating with students who are likely eligible for SNAP, including students in state or federally financed work-study programs. The bill defines covered students to include work-study recipients and students eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Impact

If enacted, the bill would add a new federal notification requirement for institutions of higher education receiving work-study grants under the Higher Education Act. It would not directly change SNAP eligibility rules, but it would affect how colleges, states, and federal agencies coordinate outreach and documentation for students who may qualify for food assistance. The measure would likely increase administrative responsibilities for colleges and the Department of Education, while potentially improving access to SNAP benefits for low-income students.

Sentiment

The bill’s title and structure suggest a supportive, anti-hunger policy approach aimed at helping financially vulnerable college students access benefits they may already qualify for. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no documented floor or committee debate to indicate broader partisan division or consensus. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears framed as a student-support and benefits-access initiative rather than a controversial policy change.

Contention

The main policy issue is administrative implementation: colleges would need to identify eligible students, send notices, and provide state-specific SNAP information, which could raise concerns about compliance burden and coordination between education and nutrition agencies. Another possible point of contention is the scope of the required outreach, including whether institutions should be responsible for determining likely SNAP eligibility and providing documentation that may be used to establish an exemption under federal food-assistance rules. No specific opposition or disagreement is documented in the provided materials.