Introducing a New AI Tool to Expand Student Access to SNAP and Medicaid
- Student Basic Needs Coalition
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Across the country, millions of college students are eligible for public benefit programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid—but the majority never enroll. According to recent estimates, 69% of SNAP-eligible students are not receiving benefits, leaving critical support untapped. These programs were designed to reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes, but students continue to face significant barriers to access, including lack of awareness, administrative burden, and complex application processes.
To address these challenges, the Student Basic Needs Coalition (SBNC) has developed a new AI-powered tool designed to increase enrollment in SNAP and Medicaid among college students. The tool is now accepting waitlist applications for colleges and universities seeking to implement a streamlined, student-centered approach.
The Problem: Barriers to Benefits
Students often face three core challenges when it comes to accessing public benefits:
Limited Awareness: Many students do not know they are eligible for SNAP or Medicaid. FAFSA data is rarely used to proactively identify eligible students, and institutions often lack the capacity to run targeted outreach.
Insufficient Outreach Infrastructure: Even when students are identified, institutions may not have the communications infrastructure or staffing to deliver personalized outreach at scale.
Complex and Time-Intensive Application Processes: Students who begin applications often abandon them due to confusing forms, lack of documentation, or long wait times for assistance.
These barriers contribute to higher rates of food and health insecurity—both of which are directly linked to lower academic performance, persistence, and graduation rates.
The Solution: AI-Powered Enrollment Support
SBNC’s tool was developed in partnership with students, administrators, and public benefits experts. It addresses each of the above challenges with a three-part system:
1. Eligibility Identification Using FAFSA Data
The tool analyzes FAFSA data to determine which students are likely eligible for SNAP and/or Medicaid based on income, dependency status, household size, and enrollment information. This allows institutions to pinpoint eligible students without requiring them to self-identify.
2. Automated, Customized Outreach
Once eligible students are identified, the tool generates tailored email and text messages that schools can send directly. These messages are crafted to be student-friendly and reduce stigma, increasing the likelihood of engagement. Administrators can customize the templates or use them as-is to save time and resources.
3. AI Chatbot for Application Assistance
Students who engage with outreach are directed to a user-friendly chatbot that walks them through the application process for SNAP and, soon, Medicaid. The chatbot provides 24/7 support, answers frequently asked questions, and helps students prepare required documentation. It ensures that students are not left to navigate complex systems alone.
Demo Available Now
To see the tool in action, we invite you to view our recorded demo, which highlights the administrator dashboard, student interface, and key features.
Join the Waitlist
We are currently accepting interest from colleges and universities for the 2025–2026 academic year. Institutions that join the waitlist will be the first to receive onboarding details, implementation timelines, and training materials.
This tool represents a scalable solution to a persistent problem. By leveraging data colleges already collect, and reducing the administrative burden for both staff and students, we can significantly increase benefit access and improve student outcomes.
For more information or to schedule a one-on-one conversation, please contact us at contact@studentbasicneeds.com. We look forward to partnering with institutions committed to supporting student well-being and success.
Kommentare