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Title 7: SNAP Page 75 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter I: Specific Households and Participants Students Revised February 13, 2026 Nonfinancial Eligibility NOTE: This does not include special programs such as courses for English as a second language and workforce development and occupational training programs that are not part of the regular curriculum, but which are often held on community college campuses. Be sure to ask clarifying questions to determine if a household member is in a training or other special program or enrolled in the school’s regular curriculum. Individuals enrolled in these special programs that are not part of the regular curriculum are not considered to be enrolled in an institution of higher education and therefore are not subject to student eligibility requirements. While students in these special programs are not required to meet student eligibility requirements, they may be exempt from work registration based on their participation in the school or training program. See 7-C, Exemptions from Work Registration for more information on how these programs may impact the client’s MWR status. When a student is an alien, require the student to verify alien status. If the student is an ineligible alien, do not apply student policies. Follow the policies that apply to ineligible aliens. The following sections explain:  Nonfinancial eligibility (student status)  Counting educational assistance as a resource  Counting educational assistance as income Nonfinancial Eligibility Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.5, 273.1(b) Students who are required to meet student eligibility criteria but who do not meet it are not eligible for SNAP. See Ineligible Household Members earlier in this chapter for treatment of the income and resources of ineligible students. The following sections explain:  When students can be eligible  The effects of student status Eligible Students Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.5(a), (b)(1) Students do not need to meet student eligibility criteria when they are:  Under age 18.  Aged 50 or over.  Physically or mentally unfit for employment.  Attending high school or a high school equivalency program.  In an on-the-job-training program.  Attending school less than half time.