Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Wide shot of a grocery store aisle.

Published October 1, 2025

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help buy healthy food when money is tight. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that can help buy food at authorized retail food stores when money is tight. SNAP benefits are meant to supplement other sources of household income that can be used to purchase food, not to cover the full monthly cost of food for most households.

To be eligible to apply, college students must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must be a US Citizen or have a Green Card for 5 years or hold refugee or asylum status
  • Have a student meal plan that covers 50% or less of their meals, or have no meal plan at all
  • Must meet SNAP income requirements

 Additionally, college students must meet ONE of the following criteria:

  • Participate in a state or federally financed Work Study program
  • Work at least 20 hours a week in paid employment or self-employed making the equivalent of at least 20h of minimum wage
  • Be a single parent enrolled full time responsible for a child under the age of 12
  • Be responsible for care of a household member who is under the age of 6 or incapacitated

Ready to apply? 

Do you want to meet with a SNAP representative to walk you through the process?

  • Click the green button below. 
  • Log in with your UBIT name and password. 
  • Click "Schedule an appointment."
  • In the drop down menus, select:
    • Type of appointment: Health Promotion
    • Appointment Reason: SNAP Appointment
  • Click "View available appointments."
  • Click on the appointment time you want and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. 

UBITName and password required

For more services and opportunities like this:

Health Promotion

Student Life

University at Buffalo
114 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: 716-645-2837; Fax: 716-645-6234