California Policy Lab
The Impact of Nutrition Assistance on College Student Success
The Impact of Nutrition Assistance on College Student Success
California Policy Lab | March 2026
Using linked administrative data from all 116 California community colleges, FAFSA records, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation data, this working paper examines the impact of sustained SNAP participation on early academic success among California community college students.
CalWORKs Participation Among California’s College Students
CalWORKs Participation Among California’s College Students
California Policy Lab | October 2025
This data point presents student participation rates in CalWORKs, which the authors define as either appearing on a CalWORKs case, or living in the same household as someone who appears on a CalWORKs case (e.g., a college student whose child participates in CalWORKs).
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2022–23 School Year Update
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2022–23 School Year Update
California Policy Lab | October 2025
This brief provides estimates of CalFresh participation rates among community college and University of California (UC) students in California, providing updates to a previous data point, which focused on CalFresh enrollment during the 2021–22 school year.
Supporting Young People’s Food Security: CalFresh Participation During and After High School
Supporting Young People’s Food Security: CalFresh Participation During and After High School
California Policy Lab | April 2025
This report provides new insights on participation in CalFresh during the final years of high school and the first few years after high school, and the factors that influence whether students continue to receive benefits.
How Much Do College Students Get from CalFresh Each Month?
How Much Do College Students Get from CalFresh Each Month?
California Policy Lab | February 2025
This policy brief explores how much university and community college students received in CalFresh benefits each month before and after the start of the pandemic. The authors find that temporary federal policy changes during the pandemic nearly doubled benefit amounts for UC undergraduates and California community college students.
Trends in Community College Enrollment and CalFresh Eligibility During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Trends in Community College Enrollment and CalFresh Eligibility During the COVID-19 Pandemic
California Policy Lab | January 2025
This policy brief describes how eligibility for CalFresh changed among community college students because of broader college enrollment changes during the height of the pandemic and due to the temporary eligibility changes Congress made to SNAP.
Many California Community College Students Are Eligible For—But Not Receiving—CalFresh Benefits
Many California Community College Students Are Eligible For—But Not Receiving—CalFresh Benefits
California Policy Lab | December 2024
Using a linked database of student-level administrative data on college enrollment, financial aid, and CalFresh participation, this brief estimates how many California community college students are eligible for CalFresh, how many students are taking up those benefits, and how many are missing out.
Filling the Gap: CalFresh Eligibility Among University of California and California Community College Students
Filling the Gap: CalFresh Eligibility Among University of California and California Community College Students
California Policy Lab | June 2024
This report links college enrollment and financial aid application data and compares it to CalFresh eligibility rules to create more precise estimates of how many students are likely eligible for CalFresh. The authors pinpoint the eligibility criteria and program rules that appear to have the biggest impact in determining eligibility.
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2021–22 School Year Update
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2021–22 School Year Update
California Policy Lab | April 2024
This data point provides estimates of CalFresh participation rates among community college and University of California students in California.
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2020–21 School Year Update
CalFresh Participation Among California’s College Students: A 2020–21 School Year Update
California Policy Lab | April 2024
This data point provides estimates of CalFresh participation rates among community college and University of California (UC) students in California. It updates numbers from a previous first data point, which focused on CalFresh enrollment during the 2019–20 school year.
