Recently, there has been an increase in the use of food stamps among students residing in off-campus facilities at Morgan State University.

Students living in Morgan View, which is the number one off-campus housing option, are responsible for obtaining their own groceries if they do not have a meal plan on campus.

“I shop at Giant a lot [be]cause I know we get a 5 percent discount. I go to Giant before I go anywhere else,” said junior Markira Thomas who studies graphic design.

While student discounts at grocery stores like Giant are helpful, they are not enough for some Morgan View residents who are considering applying for food stamps.

Taiwo Akinnuoie, a sophomore computer science major said, “if it reduces the amount of money I pay for food then of course.”

Morgan View residents qualify for food stamps if they work at least 20 hours per week because they pay rent.

“I know a lot of people that use food stamps at Morgan View because technically we do pay rent so if you apply for food stamps they will approve it because all you have to do is just tell them that you pay rent and that you’re a student,” said Thomas.

Shanelle Harrison, a junior fine arts major said, “food stamps really come in handy because you don’t have to rely on anyone else, those set of groceries are guaranteed at least once a month”.

But with food stamps, comes restrictions and limitations.

“You can’t buy hot food, so as far as making it stretch, you cook something that you know will last you at least week,” Harrison added.

Regardless of any conflicting opinions about college students embracing the use of food stamps, here at Morgan, it boils down to  whether you actually need them or not.

“I feel like food stamps are neither a good or bad thing, but if that’s what’s necessary it needs to be done,” said Harrison.