Mississippi benefits for college students

Food assistance: SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

Mississippi's name for SNAP, run by Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), Division of Economic Assistance Eligibility. 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 →

MDHS has a 'SNAP for College Students' page. It says any student enrolled in a career and/or technical course of study through a community college meets a student exemption (the degree program must be certified by the community college as career/technical). Other exemptions it lists: working 20 or more hours a week, caring for a dependent child, being physically or mentally unable to work, or being approved for work study. Students cannot get most of their meals (more than 50% of three meals a day) through a meal plan, must show they live in their own household (lease, utility bill, school housing contract, etc.), and students under 22 who live with their parents are part of their parents' SNAP household. Apply at Access.ms.gov or the county MDHS office.

Apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) · Mississippi's page for students

Health coverage: Mississippi Medicaid

Mississippi has not adopted the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion, so coverage for adults without children is limited. A HealthCare.gov plan may be the better route; check the state's rules below. All your health coverage options →

Apply for Mississippi Medicaid

Child care help: Child Care Payment Program (CCPP)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. Parents must work at least 25 hours a week OR be enrolled full-time in an educational program, or be in an approved job training program, or a combination of both. Teen parents must be enrolled full-time in high school or a full-time educational program. Part-time students who do not also meet the work hours are not covered by the rule as written.

Apply for Child Care Payment Program (CCPP) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

We found no extra state Lifeline discount on Mississippi's official pages, so the federal discount applies. Who qualifies →

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

Mississippi has no state Earned Income Tax Credit. The Mississippi Department of Revenue lists free or reduced-fee e-file programs (IRS Free File partners such as FreeTaxUSA, TaxSlayer, TaxAct, 1040.com, OLT and 1040NOW, each with its own income or age limits) that file the state return free for eligible residents. Residents can also file returns online through the state's free Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).

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

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