Imagine juggling multiple jobs, a demanding course load, and the constant worry of food insecurity. Now, add a government shutdown to the mix, and the reality for thousands of college students becomes even more precarious. For many, like myself, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is more than just a benefit; it’s a lifeline that keeps us afloat.
The Daily Struggle for Basic Needs
My weekly grocery run isn’t a simple trip to the store. It involves navigating public transport across different neighborhoods just to find a supermarket that accepts my EBT card. In areas near my college campus, options are limited and often overpriced. This means careful planning and extra travel time, all while trying to keep up with classes and work.
When news of the government shutdown broke, my immediate thoughts went to those directly impacted, like my cousin, a TSA agent worried about rent and her children. But soon, the reality hit home: my own EBT balance and the grocery list I rely on to get through the week were also at risk. It’s a devastating realization that abstract political disputes have such immediate, personal consequences.
SNAP: A Lifeline for Students
I applied for SNAP benefits in March 2025, and after a lengthy process, the monthly $230 benefit became essential for managing the mounting expenses of being a full-time, first-generation college student. Across the country, over 40 million Americans depend on SNAP, including hundreds of thousands of students who often fall through the gaps of aid systems designed primarily for families.
I’m currently juggling three jobs while taking 18 credits this semester. My weeks are packed with internships and editing work, and my nights and weekends are spent working the front door of a nightclub. The idea of ‘funding lapses’ or ‘temporary measures’ translates directly into skipped meals and a jeopardized education. For me, this isn’t an abstract political debate; it’s a stark, immediate calculation.
Impossible Choices
The shutdown forces cruel choices: stretch my budget to the absolute limit and hope for a miracle, opt for cheaper, less nutritious food, or sacrifice valuable class time to pick up more shifts. Missing education could delay my entry into my dream graduate program. The choices are simple, but the cost is immense, measured not just in dollars but in the erosion of hope that comes from chronic scarcity.
There’s a profound humiliation in worrying publicly about food, especially when I was raised to be self-reliant. It’s a difficult balance between asking for help and deflecting pity. Silence can make these problems invisible to policymakers who are far removed from our daily realities, especially when they continue to receive their own paychecks.
A Plea to Policymakers
As November approaches, I face painful decisions about where my limited funds will go. Food is a top priority, yet the future of the program I depend on is uncertain. I urge policymakers to remember that when they cut federal programs, they are also dimming the prospects of students who need to attend class with a clear head and a full stomach. It’s hard to focus on lectures about democracy when you’re running on caffeine and anxiety.
Thousands of students like me are caught in this situation, juggling jobs, classes, and food insecurity. The silence surrounding our anxiety only makes it worse. But we will keep working, keep attending class, and keep showing up. We will also keep telling our stories, hoping to make the abstract concrete and remind decision-makers of the faces behind the numbers.
How has the government shutdown impacted you or someone you know? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below. Let’s keep this conversation going.
