Tennessee benefits for college students

Food assistance: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Tennessee's name for SNAP, run by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). 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 →

TDHS says most college students must be working an average of 20 hours a week, enrolled in work-study, caring for young dependents, or receiving Families First (Tennessee's TANF). SNAP does not count scholarships, grants and loans used for tuition and fees. Students must verify attendance with a current class schedule each semester/quarter, including online classes. No state-designated programs beyond the federal exemptions were found.

Apply for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Health coverage: TennCare

Tennessee 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 →

TennCare Medicaid covers 'children under age 21' (income limits apply), so some students under 21 may qualify. Adults 21 and over generally need another category (pregnant, parent/caretaker of a minor child living with them, SSI, etc.).

Apply for TennCare

Child care help: Child Care Payment Assistance (Smart Steps)

Going to college or training counts as an approved activity in this state. Smart Steps covers children 6 weeks through kindergarten. Parents must average 30 or more hours a week of work and/or a post-secondary undergraduate education program; graduate programs may count up to 6 hours toward the weekly requirement. Household income must be at or below 85% of State Median Income, with a parent co-pay. Proof of school (enrollment/class schedule) is required. Teen parents 13-19 in middle or high school have a separate Teen Parent Child Care program.

Apply for Child Care Payment Assistance (Smart Steps) · Help on campus (CCAMPIS) →

Phone and internet: Lifeline

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

Apply for Lifeline

Taxes

Tennessee has no state Earned Income Tax Credit.

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

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