AggieFresh is a supplemental nutrition program similar to CalFresh that provides up to $292 a month for groceries and restaurant meals.
Please review the eligibility requirements before applying.
AggieFresh Program Description
AggieFresh is a supplemental nutrition program, similar to SNAP/CalFresh that provides monthly financial support for groceries and restaurant meals. The program is open to all UC Davis students enrolled in 6 or more units, who do not qualify for CalFresh, do not have a meal plan, and are eligible for financial aid. Students may receive up to $292/month, with additional funds available for those with dependents, as determined through the eligibility screener.
Upon enrollment in AggieFresh, students are also enrolled in the Aggie Compass Career and Skills Program: Beyond the Basics course in Canvas. Participation in this program is required to receive AggieFresh benefits and includes verification of attendance at two or more Beyond the Basics workshops or events per quarter while enrolled in AggieFresh.
*Students with a meal plan of 9 meals or less per week may still qualify.
AggieFresh Eligibility Overview:
Step 1) Are you a UC Davis Student (undergraduate or graduate student)?
Both undergraduate and graduate students can be eligible for AggieFresh and CalFresh!
Must be currently enrolled in 6 or more units.
Step 2) CADAA or FAFSA required (FAFSA recipients should apply for CalFresh FIRST)
This award is considered financial aid which requires a FAFSA or CADAA on file with the Office of Financial Aid.
Students with FAFSA might be eligible for CalFresh and should first apply for CalFresh!
Step 3) SAI $7,400 or Below
The SAI, or Student Aid Index, is a number calculated from information on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and used by colleges to determine a student's financial aid eligibility.
To be eligible for the AggieFresh program, students must have an SAI of $7,400 or below.
Step 4) Student Meal Plan
UC Davis meal plan must not exceed 10 meals per week.
Step 5) Must be ineligible for SNAP/CalFresh
Your AggieFresh application will be screened for CalFresh eligibility and if you are eligible you must first apply for CalFresh. If you are denied, your application will be considered for AggieFresh.
Important Information
Program Participation Requirements
1) Enrollment and participation in the Aggie Compass Career and Skills Program: Beyond the Basics is a required part of the AggieFresh program. Beyond the Basics is designed to increase employability through participation in campus career and skills workshops, e.g. Blue to Gold Financial Wellness workshops, resume writing, or interview skills workshops.
2) Survey participation - there are two surveys required for participation:
- To enroll in the program you will be asked to fill out a survey establishing a baseline that will help determine program effectiveness.
- Toward the end of the program, you will be asked to submit a survey about your experience with the program, ask for your feedback, and gauge effectiveness in order to make improvements.
Card Balances Paid Monthly
AggieFresh card balances are paid down to $0 by UC Davis on the 25th of each month. If the 26th falls on a weekend or holiday, the cycle will reset on the next business day.
Allowable Purchases
1) AggieFresh benefits can be used to purchase food items only.
2) Students who purchase items other than food (e.g. alcohol, toiletries, gas, etc.) may be terminated from the AggieFresh program.
CalFresh Eligibility
1) AggieFresh is for students who do not qualify for CalFresh. Students will be asked to verify ineligibility for CalFresh and may be asked to apply or reapply before they are approved for AggieFresh.
2) If you become eligible for CalFresh while receiving AggieFresh benefits, you are required to apply for CalFresh. Once you begin receiving benefits, you must notify AggieFresh to withdraw from the program.
Financial Aid
AggieFresh is considered financial aid and must fit within a student's financial aid package.
Award amount will be determined by the Office of Financial Aid based on the program eligibility requirements and available room for aid.
Tax Considerations
AggieFresh is a form of financial aid, therefore you are NOT required to report AggieFresh as income to the IRS.
Confidentiality & Student Privacy
AggieFresh is a confidential program. The Basic Needs Center does not ask for or retain any personal or financial information from students. Eligibility is verified through existing university records, eliminating the need for students to provide documentation.
Since AggieFresh is considered financial aid, the Financial Aid Office oversees eligibility verification and has access to student records. However, the Basic Needs Center does not store or manage student financial or personal data, ensuring participants’ privacy is protected.
Managing Card Balance
To obtain online access to your AggieFresh account, you will need to create a profile with US Bank. For instructions on creating a US Bank account, click this link: Create US Bank Account: AggieFresh - Google Docs
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a household for the purpose of the application?
- The household refers to the number of people who purchase and prepare food together. Housemates/roommates are not necessarily counted in the same household, although dependents would be.
- How long will it take for applications to be processed?
- Applications will be processed on a space available basis only, but we anticipate that it will take two weeks or less for students who are accepted to be notified and receive their first card.
- What happens if I do not spend all of my benefits before the 25th day of each month?
- Those funds do not accumulate and roll over. By student request, we will reconcile what has been spent against the space being held in the Financial Aid award.
- What if I have a problem with a purchase?
- You need to reach out to Aggie Fresh (aggiefresh@ucdavis.edu). Helpful emails will include: the location you were trying to purchase from, the approximate amount of the transaction and when the card was declined so that we can try to address any issues.
- What items can Aggie Fresh funds be used for?
- The funds provided in this program are to be used exclusively for food - whether as groceries OR prepared foods from restaurants.
- Can I put my Aggie Fresh card into a mobile wallet or link to my Apple Pay account?
- Yes.
- Can I use my Aggie Fresh card for online food purchases such as through Instacart or Doordash?
- Yes, although monthly membership costs may not be covered.
- If a student is eligible for CalFresh, can they choose to be in Aggie Fresh instead?
- No - students will only be considered for Aggie Fresh if they can show (or we can reasonably predict) that they were or would be denied CalFresh eligibility.
- Is proof of income required?
- Proof of income is not required during the application process. However, students may be randomly selected to provide proof of income at a later date.
- How can I keep track of how much I've spent each month?
- When you pick up your card, there will be information included about how to set up an account to view your balance and transactions.
- What if my card is lost or stolen?
- Students will need to notify Aggie Fresh, who will need to reissue them a new card.