Ohhhh SNAP!!

This fall, I'm entering my second year in graduate school.  As many people know, college students are often broke due to a limited income and excessive spending on increasing tuition and fees, books, food, and other necessities required to live independently in an academic environment.  There are many tips and strategies on every blog, website, university campus on how college students can make money and live on a frugal budget such as cooking more than restaurant hopping, buying necessities in bulk, purchasing store brand products, and bartering for slightly used products.  All that is fine and dandy, but the reality is, the economy sucks and students expenses are increasing at an alarming rate that differs drastically from just five years ago.

Due to some legislation that the Obama administration has implemented as a result of the current economic crisis, there's a federal program that has had an increase in activity, especially by college students. Some of my fellow graduate students at various universities began taking full advantage of the SNAP program commonly known as Food Stamps. Although this program has evolved from the days of carrying physical stamps that are traded in at the check out counter to electronic debit cards that resemble debit or credit cards, critics and users of the program still harbor emotions that stigmatize the program and its users.  Graduate and even undergraduate students understand that they are the most privileged population in America and find it embarrassing that they participate in the program.  In addition, many taxpayers feel that students are lazy and should be working while in school to pay for food instead of relying on others.

Should students take part in this program?  The fact of the matter is, the money is there and if needed, students shouldn't be ashamed to take advantage of the program.  But I understand students don't want to encounter looks from grocer associates at the check out counter while they're chatting it up on that new iPhone 4.