California is expanding CalFresh eligibility for some college students, a step in the right direction to potentially ease financial strain from ever-increasing grocery prices.
For students who are away from family support, even grocery shopping can turn into a major monthly burden.
Here's what to know
As reported by KSBY, Gov. Gavin Newsom said updated CalFresh rules could make food assistance easier to access for some students who are enrolled at least half-time at University of California, California State University, and California Community College campuses.
Students are not automatically approved under the change. They still have to satisfy other CalFresh eligibility standards, and some recipients between the ages of 18 and 64 may also need to meet federal work or community engagement requirements to continue receiving assistance.
Damian Norman, a first-year student at Allan Hancock College, said covering grocery costs has become harder while living on the Central Coast without family nearby.
"The way the economy is about, you spend on average about 200, even just for yourself, so it's pretty expensive now," Norman said, per KSBY.
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More background
Santa Barbara County says the number of approved CalFresh applications from college students has been climbing, per KSBY.
According to Rachel Lipman, assistant director of Economic Assistance and Employment Services for Santa Barbara County, the county averaged about 340 approved student applications per month in 2023, 360 in 2024, and 400 in 2025, KSBY reported.
Lipman said the approval rate has stayed near 60%. So far in 2026, the county is averaging roughly 350 approved student applications each month, and officials expect activity to pick up as more students look for assistance.
County figures also show regional differences among recipients. Lipman said about half of Santa Barbara County's CalFresh recipients live in North County, compared with 33% in South County and 17% in Mid County.
At Allan Hancock College, however, staff say hesitation is creating another hurdle.
According to KSBY, Jannet Rios, who supervises the Bulldogs Essentials Center, said, "We've actually seen a decrease due to what's happening at the federal level. A lot of students are second-guessing whether they should apply, not for themselves, but it impacts their family as well."
What's being done?
Santa Barbara County expects broader eligibility to drive meaningful enrollment growth.
County Executive Officer Jana Petersen said during the Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 20 that Santa Barbara County is expecting 5,000 more students to enroll in CalFresh in 2026, KSBY reported.
On campus, Allan Hancock College is also trying to make enrollment easier. Christopher McGuiness, a public affairs and communications analyst, said the Bulldogs Essentials Center has helped 85 students enroll in CalFresh so far in 2026, per KSBY.
The college plans to host a CalFresh enrollment event on Nov. 3, and students who want to check their eligibility or begin an application can use the state's Department of Social Services website or contact their county's CalFresh office directly.
Norman said that kind of help can matter even more for students who are far from home.
"It's very important because they don't push such stress on your parents. I come from so far and having that support to help me pay for my groceries and things like that, to make sure I got food on my plate is very important."
Where can I learn more?
Food assistance is one of several ways states and schools are trying to ease the strain of high everyday costs on families and students. These stories look at anti-hunger efforts in New York and in schools, changes to school lunch options, and other affordability pressures tied to insurance and housing.
• In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul expanded a food waste rescue program to help families eat.
• At schools, teachers and parents are collecting leftover food so students do not go hungry.
• Kraft pulled Lunchables from school lunches after the products drew scrutiny.
• In California, State Farm left homeowners scrambling after policy cuts and premium hikes.
• In Des Moines, Iowa, officials approved 54 tiny homes for residents leaving homelessness.
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