Starving College Students Turning to Food Stamps

I support food stamps for a SHORT period of time for folks who show they are working full time and give a listing of their bills and have families to support. However, many states do not even require that, they just accept whatever info. the person chooses to list. Though yes, there are likely some students who are truly struggling, the rise of 113% in usuage seems pretty outlandish! Many students could go to a community college for their first 2 years, rather than an expensive University. Are they doing w/o the expensive cell phones and internets in their rooms? Are they choosing to have an expensive apt. rather than share with lots of other students? Are they truly eating in, rather than pizza and burgers much of the time? Yes, it is good to have a college education, but the more we "give" it away, the less valuable it becomes, hence the reality that a 4 year degree is not worth what it used to be. We truly are a country of "gotta have it now"...

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i am a senior in college. i live at home and have student loans but the Stafford does not cover the full amount of tuition let alone books. Since i live with my parents i commute to school. luckily my school has a bus pass program so i can get a bus pass real cheap. the bus takes me an hour and a half to get to school. i have applied for numerous jobs on campus but i don't get fws because the government thinks my divorced mother should be able to provide me with 20000 a year in support. i have also applied for many jobs off campus but i would have to drop out of school in order to get a minimum wage part time job. Plus i am paying 2000 a year in health insurance because the school requires proof of health insurance. My brother graduated from college last year and after looking for several months finally decided to work through Americorp. the job ended in July and he has applied for many jobs but has not even got an interview. He is now trying to get a part time job at Costco.

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I am so tired of going to the grocery store (or Target for that matter) with my little bit of hard earned $$. Only to see people with huge grocery bills. . .much more than I can afford and I work full time. They often have a second pile of purchses. . .wine, beer, precooked food, birthday cakes, cigarettes that they pay cash for. I have no assistance and could not afford to spend like this. They are spending OUR money.

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I like my grandfather's plan for the economy. Bring back the price lock and wage cap (You'l make this much an hour and pay this much for bread and milk) and then start reopening factories. It'll never happen, but still.
And then, starvation isn't a college kid on food stamps. (I'm a dropout, so let me finish before getting all judgmental) Starvation is working a minimum-wage job, living in a tiny, ridiculously overpriced, cabin with no stove or hot water, not to mention the black mold, and not being able to do anything about because you're landlord is the president of the real estate association of NH and the cabin is grandfathered in, so, instead of buying food, you spend all your money on keeping the heat on and a roof over your head, and thanking the powers that be that the parents of your old high school buddies let you use their laundry room and shower occasionally.

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As long as these students realize that food stamps come from the medicaid program and will eventually be charged back to their estates upon death, let them eat cake. In case they didn't know this, I would just like to remind them that nothing, not even food, is free in America. Sooner or later, the government will want a payback. If this makes you want to upchuck - be my guest.

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Every day this country sinks deeper in the whole. I am surprised that any young people get to college. They hold jobs, which hardly pays them anything, then they have to study and go without sleep to get passing grades. Maybe, if they voted for obama, they now see the light what he is all about and maybe they will help to vote him out of office. I have to give the students credit for trying to get an education so they, hopefully, better themselves. But, they too have to wake up and pay particular attention to what they are helping to get elected and supposedly do this country proud and do the right thing. NEVER DROP OUT OF GETTING AN EDUCATION. Thanks.

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so here is a problem that has existed for some time with the assistance program. I am not one to begrudge someone who needs help the means to get that help. My issue is that this kind of assistance should not be taken lightly - it should be something people do NOT want to get. A person should be embarrased that they can not take care of themselves - because that embarrasment (or shame to use a word from a different age) is a powerful motivator to make sure that someone becomes self-sufficient (or finds a way to never ask for assistance in the first place). Being on food stamps used to be like that - it was kind of embarrasing to use them in line when checking out at the supermarket (everyone else saw and knew that you were on assistance). And people worked hard to make sure that the next time they went to the supermarket they didn't have the embarrasment of using food stamps. So how did we 'fix' this 'problem' - the government has done away with everything that might embarrass or shame anyone and has changed the form of payment to a debit card (that looks and works like any regular person's bank cark). So now there is absolutely zero shame or embarrassment for those on assistance = little incentive to do anything to improve their situation to NOT continue accepting that assistance. It is a sorry turn of events and one that does not bode well for the future.

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When this article was first posted I left a comment about it basically
applauding it. I'm sorry but I read like a triumph for our government
in promoting a social service towards the right people as opposed to
the people that make careers out of living off the government. That's
not to say that only students should receive them but every student I
know including myself are on them SHORT TERM. OMG it totally sucks
being food stamps! After going back and reading all the comments left
after my original, I really was shocked to read so many bitter,
negative and hateful comments. People, you're no understanding what
kind of students we are. We are NOT straight out of highschool college
students whose parents pay our way. Getting FS is very difficult. I'm
sure I only have them because I have a child. But I'm in school full
time busting my butt to finish so I can give her a good life that
doesn't require government assistance. And I WILL achieve that. I
don't know one STUDENT on FS who don't genuinely qualify. Spring
break? What is that? I spend my spring breaks writing papers. Going out every night? Don't think so. Buying crap to eat with them?No but only because I know how to cook. Seeing as how you can ONLY buy food with them it's really none of anyone's business what kind of food you're buying. I know the stigma on the college studen is the party every night kind of kid. But all the students I know who are on FS are 25+ years old, have a child and are genuinely tryig to better their life. Think people. This isn't giving money to spoiled highschool grads out to party and waste everyone's money. "Girls Gone Wild" aren't on FS. ;) Like I said before, it IS actually really hard and degrading and invading to apply and actually receive them.

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AS A FORMER FOOD STAMP ELIGIBILITY WORKER I KNOW THAT THE STUDENTS MUST BE EMPLYED 20 OUR HOURS PER WEEK OR BE WORKING AT A JOB PAYING 20 HOURS PER WEEK AT MINUMUM WAGE. MOST STUDENTS GET NO MORE THAN TEN DOLLARS OF FS PER MONTH.

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Wow! I didn't have a dime from my parents, yet it never occurred to me for a second to apply for food stamps! I simply applied only to schools that cost less than the educational loans I could get, and scrimped on the food. Ramen Noodles were the bomb! In fact, I scrimped on all purchases. I didn't buy clothes, I didn't smoke or drink, didn't go to moves or "out" to eat, etc. I didn't have wheels. Did a lot of walking and hanging out in libraries. I babysat, started a used-book business, worked in a factory, and held a few intern / grad assistant type jobs. I shared fairly tight, run-down quarters. I really don't understand some of the "poor me" attitude above. You made a choice to postpone your full-time earning ability. Why is that anyone else's problem? And if you are seriously in danger of starving, how much have you spent lately on cigarettes, booze, clothes, shoes, phone, gasoline, movies, soda, etc.? Come on, you know most of these youngsters are gaming the system - or they are too entitled and too foolish to realize it.

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I agree with Flying J!! If college kids are still being supported by mom and dad, they shouldn't get food stamps - they are their parent's responsibility. Young Americans feel entitled to everything these days. If you are having a hard time paying for rent, food, utilities and school even with a part time job, that's no big surprise you shouldn't expect to be able to support all that on a part time job. That's the real world folks. yes, college is worth all you go through to get through it but it doesn't entitle you to live off the taxpayers!! if it's all too much to pay for like a grownup, then move back in with the parents while you go to school, or save up more money before you ever start college, get a another roommate. between the grants, loans (many of which are defaulted on later) and food stamps, the average tax payer can't afford to save to send their kids to school some day!! grow up losers and pay your own way. and before you ask, yes I went to college and yes I worked some times and yes I paid back 100% of my loans.

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right on Greg and jen!! If you can't afford something and still afford to feed yourself and provide for your basic needs (shelter, food, elec.) then you can't really afford college, right now. this I"m entitled to everything mentality is what's destroying this country. education is an awesome investment but middle class American can't afford to be taxed to death to put you through college.

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Stop paying for Illegals education and everything that goes with it and support Legal residents education and help them with everything they need to stay in school and become productive.. Do you people have any idea how much money goes to Illegals to pay for their educations in Calif alone???

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When I moved to CA in 1969, higher education was basically free, There was no tuition. I thought this was amazing and a wonderful way to ensure an intelligent work force and the state's continued economic success. Ronald Regan was elected governor. He and his friends thought that nothing should be free and people should pay for their education. He felt that the answer was to lower taxes on the rich and charge for everything. He and his friends were rich, but needed more money and could afford to send their kids to USC anyway. Now we see the results. Students spending so much money on tuition, books and housing that they have no money for food. To the jerks who complain about immigrants getting food stamps, MediCal and other benefits, they should call the State or County to complain and they will learn that no one who cannot prove US citizenship is eligible for anything.

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These 'starving' college students likely own iPods, cell phones and pay monthly for internet access.

And I'm suppose to feel sorry for them? Hardly!

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ONE THING THE ARTICLE "FORGOT TO MENTION" IS THAT IN CALIFORNIA, IF YOU ARE ATTENDING ANY KIND OF SCHOOLING (ADULTS) THAT YOU HAVE TO..1/ HAVE A MINOR CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 6, -OR- 2/ BE WORKING A MINIMUM OF 20 HRS PER WEEK, -OR- 3/ BE INVOLVED WITH WORK STUDY....IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR FOOD STAMPS IN THE GREAT STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

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most of these parasites are illegal alien kids (anchor babies) that have been bilking taxpayers since their parents invaded America.

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I agree with Anne. You certainly may think that kids in college are all from priveleged families. They are not. Many students, like my son, depend on loans, grants and scholarships to make his way through college. Colleges and college towns take advantage of students with providing the highest prices in groceries, gas and living arrangements. My son's books cost him over $600 for just this semester alone. And those are only the required ones. Optional books may yet have to be purchased. He has tried to pick classes with the lowest cost for books,but as a senior, sometimes that is not possible. The tuition alone is a killer, but the amount of these books, for example $150 for one book, is highway robbery.
Foodstamps would be a welcomed aid for students. They need to eat decent food to help them study. These college kids will one day be giving back to the community through their jobs and service.
I think they should be allowed this help. Not all parents can afford to put kids through college.

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If the parasite illegal alien anchor baby's are so hungry how come they are so damn fat ?

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