Student Tribune
Auto-Enrollment in SNAP Benefits for 10,000 Students Facing Food Insecurity
New Initiative Extends Access to Students Financially Impacted by COVID
and Enrolled in the SUNY for All Free Online Training Program, EOCs, and ATTAIN
Labs
SUNY for All Video About Auto-Enrollment Available Here
SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras launched a Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program auto-enrollment program for approximately 10,000 SUNY
students facing food insecurity, who are eligible for benefits but may not be
signing up following the expansion of the program by Governor Andrew Cuomo in
October 2020. An
internal survey of SUNY students showed that only 23 percent of eligible
students considered even enrolling in SNAP, a significant resource to fight
food insecurity, and auto-enrollment will close that gap.
Yesterday, Chancellor Malatras made the announcement from the Capital
District Educational Opportunity Center. In order to be eligible for
SUNY’s new SNAP auto-enrollment, students must be engaged at least
half-time in career and technical education program, remedial course, basic
adult education, literacy, or English as a second language, which are available
within SUNY’s free Online Training Center, Educational Opportunity
Centers, and Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking labs.
Previously, these students did not qualify for SNAP assistance, unless they met
certain criteria such as working at least 20 hours per week, or caring for a
child, or were unable to work, among others. The new New York State rules allow
students to substitute certain coursework for the 20-hour work requirement,
greatly opening eligibility to students who are struggling financially.
“Within our Educational Opportunity Centers alone, 50 percent of our
students have suffered from food insecurity at some point, which is why SUNY is
tackling this issue on multiple fronts whether it is having food pantries on or
near campuses to today’s important program of automatically enrolling
eligible students into the SNAP program,” said Chancellor Malatras.
“Today’s expansion will allow our dedicated students to focus on
their academic pursuits and career goals instead of where they will get their
next meal. My thanks to all of our professionals at the Educational Opportunity
Centers and ATTAIN labs for helping us reach more people, as well as President
Roger Ramsammy and Capital District EOC Executive Director Lucille Marion for
their ongoing efforts to help our students clear hurdles to a higher education
and succeed. No one should have to choose between hunger and the hope of
pursuing an education.”
Hudson Valley Community College President Ramsammy said, "Students at
Hudson Valley Community College and young people across New York are facing
unprecedented challenges. Under the leadership of Chancellor Malatras, the
State University is taking bold steps to address those challenges. Students can
now receive ready and reliable access to SNAP benefits while they pursue an
opportunity to increase their education and career skills through SUNY for All.
The state's Educational Opportunity Centers are a valuable tool for moving New
Yorkers toward a brighter future, and we are so pleased that Chancellor
Malatras has chosen to make this announcement at our own Capital District
Educational Opportunity Center."
Capital District EOC Executive Director Marion said, “EOCs are always
pleased to be able to support initiatives and provide opportunities for our
students that will help them to advance and move toward reaching their goals.
Food insecurity is one of the major challenges they face every day in this
journey.”
Queens Educational Opportunity Center Khayriyyah H. Ali, Executive Director,
said, “The SUNY-Educational Opportunity Centers' commitment to students
and communities served throughout New York State clearly supports our ability
to meet the needs of those currently experiencing food insecurity due to the
impact of COVID-19. Access to SNAP benefits while enrolled in an EOC, as well
as connecting participants in educational or career training options through
SUNY's Online Training Center will reduce the strain that lack of food
complicates on any given day for oneself and family. We welcome this expansion
of EOC services.”
When Governor Cuomo expanded SNAP, he made it possible for more students
like Serina Brown to receive assistance for food costs. She started at
SUNY’s Rochester
Educational Opportunity Center, then for further post-secondary education
at SUNY Empire State College and SUNY Brockport.
"The money freed my thoughts about how to keep my children fed and
allowed me to have money to be used to pay my bills," Brown said. "It
enabled me to focus on making life better."
While SUNY’s new SNAP auto-enrollment assists students, SUNY is also
creating paths as part of its SUNY for All campaign for more New Yorkers to
gain a higher education. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, regional
food banks have experienced a 58 percent increase in food demands for
struggling families—many of whom qualify for the free skill-building,
college preparatory, English language skills, and employment certification
programs available through SUNY’s free Online Training Center.
Registration is open for the Spring semester. Students who complete any one
of the Online Training Center certificates with a high school diploma or high
school equivalency credential will be automatically accepted to any of SUNY's
30 community colleges, SUNY Empire State College, or SUNY Canton, excluding
Canton’s nursing and veterinarian tech programs. The application fee is
also waived. To learn more, register or attend a virtual informational session,
visit here.
SUNY's free Online Training Center includes programs offered through the
Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs) and Advanced Technology Training and
Information Networking (ATTAIN) labs. These online programs, coupled with
success coaches, will help more New Yorkers earn a higher education degree.
Additionally, small business owners can start or grow their enterprises with
EntreSkills, the free online entrepreneurial education course developed by the
New York Small Business Development Center.
SUNY's Educational Opportunity Centers have traditionally served as a
launching pad to community colleges, and SUNY campuses have partnerships with
many EOCs to give enrollment and orientation programs. The statewide network of
ten EOCs and two Outreach and Counseling Centers include 600 faculty and staff.
While SUNY's EOCs are located in large urban areas across New York, SUNY's
Online Training Center is accessible across the state.
Yule, Rosanna
Government and Community Relations
02/04/2021