Idaho benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Idaho's name for SNAP, run by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. If you are enrolled at least half-time, you need a student exemption to qualify, such as working 20 hours a week, work-study or caring for a young child. If you are enrolled less than half-time, the student rule does not apply and only the regular SNAP rules do. See every exemption →

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Health coverage: Idaho Medicaid

Idaho has expanded Medicaid, so adults with low incomes, students included, can qualify based on income. All your health coverage options →

Idaho's Medicaid Expansion page says new work/community-engagement requirements for expansion adults start with coverage periods ending on or after January 1, 2027 (80 hours a month of qualifying activity). It lists enrollment in an educational program such as high school, a GED program, technical training, or college as a qualifying activity, and says less-than-half-time enrollment can be combined with other activities toward the 80 hours.

Apply for Idaho Medicaid

Child care help: Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. You may qualify while attending school or undergraduate school, or participating in job training. Online classes are not accepted. The number of hours you work, attend school, or do approved activities is considered. Children must be under 13 (or older with special needs) and the family must meet the income limits.

Apply for Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP): A monthly discount on basic telephone service (landline or one family member's cell phone) and help with installation costs for eligible low-income households; households may also get the federal Lifeline discount on top. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline (Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP))

Taxes

Idaho has no state Earned Income Tax Credit. The Idaho State Tax Commission lists free ways to prepare and e-file both federal and Idaho returns: GetYourRefund (AGI $89,000 or less) and IRS Free File partners with their own income/age limits (for example, 1040NOW for Idaho residents with AGI of $32,000 or less). You must use the links on the state page to get the free versions. Free in-person help is available through IRS VITA (AGI $69,000 or less).

Free state filing · Federal education tax credits → · Free federal filing →

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