College students face higher rates of food insecurity than the general population, and programs like CalFresh can help them afford nutritious meals. CalFresh benefits can provide a significant boost to student’s food budgets, and the researchers found that on average, UC undergraduate students receive larger monthly benefit amounts than California Community College students. Before the pandemic, UC undergraduates received $161 in monthly benefits, on average, as compared to $123, on average for Community College students. The researchers found that temporary federal policy changes during the pandemic nearly doubled these amounts to $303 and $245, respectively.
How Much Do College Students Get from CalFresh Each Month?
California Policy Lab
Year: 2025