Closing the College Hunger Gap Act of 2019
Latest action (11 Jul 2019): Introduced
What this bill does
H.R. 3718, the Closing the College Hunger Gap Act of 2019, is a bill aimed at addressing food and housing insecurity among college students. It would direct the Secretary of Education to add questions measuring rates of food and housing insecurity to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, a federal survey used to collect data on how students pay for college. The bill would also amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other relevant agencies, to notify certain students each year about potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how to apply, including state agency contact information.
The bill would primarily affect college students who file the federal financial aid form (FAFSA) and have an expected family contribution of zero, meaning students from lower-income families. It would also affect the Department of Education, which would be responsible for updating the survey and sending SNAP information, and would involve coordination with the Department of Agriculture.
The bill was introduced on July 11, 2019, by Rep. Jahana Hayes, with Rep. Marcia Fudge as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action beyond introduction.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Closing the College Hunger Gap Act of 2019
This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to collect data on the food and housing insecurity of college students.
Specifically, ED must add questions that measure rates of food and housing insecurity to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. In addition, ED must collect data on student eligibility under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
ED must also provide students with contact information for the state agency that administers SNAP in their state.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3718 do?
- H.R. 3718, the Closing the College Hunger Gap Act of 2019, is a bill aimed at addressing food and housing insecurity among college students. It would direct the Secretary of Education to add questions measuring rates of food and housing insecurity to the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study, a federal survey used to collect data on how students pay for college. The bill would also amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require the Secretary of Education, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and other relevant agencies, to notify certain students each year about potential eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and how to apply, including state agency contact information. The bill would primarily affect college students who file the federal financial aid form (FAFSA) and have an expected family contribution of zero, meaning students from lower-income families. It would also affect the Department of Education, which would be responsible for updating the survey and sending SNAP information, and would involve coordination with the Department of Agriculture. The bill was introduced on July 11, 2019, by Rep. Jahana Hayes, with Rep. Marcia Fudge as a cosponsor, and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. According to available records, it did not receive a vote and saw no further action beyond introduction.
- Has H.R. 3718 become law?
- Not yet. As of 11 Jul 2019, H.R. 3718 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3718?
- H.R. 3718 was sponsored by Rep. Jahana Hayes [D-CT5] (Democrat-CT), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3718?
- Introduced (11 Jul 2019).
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