CommunityThursday, November 5
More California college students now qualify for CalFresh, and the county can help you sign up
The Daily Oceanside team
If you're a student at MiraCosta, Cal State San Marcos or another California college, you may now qualify for CalFresh. The state recently eased enrollment requirements for students at California community colleges, Cal State and UC campuses. On June 1, new federal rules also exempted students from CalFresh work requirements.
The program is growing fast among students. In January 2020, 6,000 were enrolled. By January 2024, it was nearly 13,500.
San Diego County's student CalFresh recipients have tripled since 2020
Source: Village News
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Jan. 2020 | 6,000 |
| Jan. 2024 (nearly) | 13,500 |
| Sept. 2026 (more than) | 18,800 |
- Benefits: up to $306 a month for groceries
- Enrollment: at least half time at a community college, CSU or UC
- Apply online: BenefitsCal
- Questions: call the county's call center at 866-262-9881
- On campus: county liaisons or appointments help with enrollment
Campus pantries help too. The Coast News Group reported that $1 million in new state funding will help expand the pantry at Cal State San Marcos, and MiraCosta's Oceanside campus pantries gave free food to about 600 students a day.
Cal State San Marcos' pantry is stretched and getting help
- $1 million
- in new state funding, to be spent within three years
- 1,200
- students come in for food each week
- 80%
- of students wanted a larger pantry in a survey last fall
- $3.2 million
- in reserves Associated Students is weighing using
Source: The Coast News Group
Sources: Village News, The Coast News Group