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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Being enrolled in college does not automatically disqualify you from CalFresh. The special student rule applies only to certain students ages 18–49 who attend higher education at least half-time and are fit for employment. If that rule applies, you generally need to meet one of its exemptions; if it does not, you may still apply under the regular household rules.
First check whether the special student rule applies
California’s Department of Social Services (CDSS) describes a student subject to the special rule as someone who is 18 through 49, physically and mentally fit for employment, enrolled at least half-time in a qualifying institution of higher education, and taking a regular curriculum. The school determines what counts as half-time. Qualifying institutions include postsecondary business, trade, technical, or vocational schools, as well as junior, community, two-year, four-year, and graduate colleges and universities. See the CDSS Student Quick Reference Guide.
If you are under 18, age 50 or older, enrolled less than half-time, attending high school, or unable to work because of a disability, CDSS materials do not describe you as subject to this special student test. You can still apply, but regular CalFresh household eligibility rules apply. Your county makes the eligibility determination.
If the rule applies, check for an exemption
A student in the defined group generally needs to meet at least one listed exemption. The routes below are described in CDSS’s student outreach handout and quick reference. Ask your county what documents and dates it needs to verify your circumstances.
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- 2026-2027 Student Planner - Plan the full academic year from August 2026 to July 2027 with monthly pages, weekly pages, mini calendars and notes pages in one easy school planner.
- Compact 5.5”x8.5” Academic Planner - A portable size for backpacks, desks and lockers, with a sturdy mauve stripe cover and off-white spiral binding for everyday school use.
- Weekly And Monthly Layouts - Track assignments, homework, tests, activities, goals and reminders with open writing space that helps students organize busy school weeks.
- Includes Fun Planner Stickers - Comes with a colorful sticker sheet for due dates, homework, tests, finals, study time, vacations, holidays and motivational school moments.
- Simple Student-Friendly Design - Clean pages, soft mauve stripes and practical planning sections make this planner useful for middle school, high school, college and homeschool routines.
| Possible exemption | What the CDSS materials describe | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Paid work | Employment averaging 20 hours a week; the outreach handout also describes an average of 80 hours a month. | Ask the county how it calculates the average and what proof of hours and pay to provide. |
| Work study | Approved federal or state work study. | Confirm that your work-study award is approved for the relevant term and ask what award or enrollment documentation is required. |
| Responsibility for a child | The handout lists responsibility for a child under 6; responsibility for a child age 6 through 12 when adequate child care is unavailable; and, for a full-time student, responsibility for a child under 12. | Ask the county which circumstance applies to your household and what evidence it needs. |
| CalWORKs | Receipt of CalWORKs. | Ask the county to confirm how your current CalWORKs status affects your CalFresh application. |
| Employment and training | Qualifying employment and training programs; the outreach handout also identifies on-the-job training. | Confirm that your specific program qualifies and request documentation from the program provider. |
Work study, caregiving, and program details matter
Work and work study are separate routes
Paid employment and approved work study are distinct exemptions. A work-study award is not the same as meeting the paid-work hours test. Because approval and term timing matter, check with your campus financial-aid or student-support office and your county rather than assuming an award qualifies.
Child-care circumstances depend on the child’s age and your enrollment
The CDSS handout describes more than one caregiving circumstance: a child under 6, a child age 6 through 12 when adequate child care is unavailable, or—if you are a full-time student—a child under 12. The conditions are not interchangeable; have the county assess the facts of your case.
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- Easily Stay on Top Of Things: Tackle it all with ease - less stress, more fun! The student planner 2026-2027 is here to streamline the organization of monthly & weekly goals, tasks, lessons, homework & exams. Easily stay on track with calendars, notes sections & more
- Boost Organizational Skills & Productivity: ZICOTO’s school planner is your powerful tool to manage your time wisely, getting all work done, while also honing your organizational skills, learning how to prioritize effectively and finally free up some of your time
- Enjoy Practical Features & Resource Pages: The perfect student planner for middle and high school years! Each month, there is a dedicated page for notes, to do’s & appointments. Clever: the planner even includes study tips and basics for math, science & co.
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Other training programs may qualify
CDSS materials name qualifying employment and training programs and on-the-job training. A course or training activity is not automatically an exemption just because it relates to employment. Ask the provider and county to confirm whether the specific program qualifies.
You may apply even if you do not qualify through the student exemption
Not meeting an exemption does not mean every person in your household is barred from CalFresh. CDSS’s outreach handout says other household members may qualify even if a student does not, and that the student’s income is not counted as part of the household total in that circumstance. Household composition and income treatment are case-specific, so ask the county to determine who belongs in the CalFresh household and how income is handled.
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Rank #3
- Student Planner 2026-2027 - This student planner is for academic school year, July 2026 to June 2027, 11" x 9", weekly lesson planner with planning stickers, monthly tabs, week's goals, notes, holidays, calendar reference, prefect organizer for students
- Monthly Pages Grouped Together - There are 4 constantly months on the monthly pages of the student planner, which are helpful for students to set long term plans to accommodate their busy lifestyle. In addition, the monthly pages grouped together before weekly pages, include the monthly target and the main holiday marked
- Weekly Management - Weekly view pages of this 2026-2027 student planner offer ample lined writing space from Monday to Friday for more detailed daily planning and class scheduling, allowing you to keep track of your appointments, to-dos, reminders so you can stay organized throughout the year
- Thick Paper - The premium paper of this student planner can plan your schedule without any fear of ink feathering and seepage. Our improved, high-quality white paper is designed for seepage proofing, which keeps your pages clean and tidy
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Keep the separate 2026 work rule distinct
California’s federal work and community engagement rules changed effective June 1, 2026. CDSS says some CalFresh recipients ages 18–64 may have to participate in qualifying activity, with exemptions that include attending school at least half-time, subject to student eligibility rules. Listed activities include paid employment, volunteer or community service, job training or work programs, education, workfare, or a combination. This is a separate issue from whether a college student in the special student category qualifies for an exemption. See the CDSS H.R. 1 and CalFresh information and its FAQ, updated September 9, 2026.
CDSS says people subject to the ABAWD rule may be limited to three full months of benefits in a three-year period if they do not meet the rule, unless an exception applies or they live in a waived county. The CDSS page listed Alpine, Colusa, Imperial, Merced, Monterey, Plumas, and Tulare counties as waived from November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2026. County waivers are time-sensitive; check the current state page or ask your county before relying on the list.
Rank #4
- Designed for the Academic Year – Stay on top of your schedule from August 2026 to July 2027 with this thoughtfully laid-out 2026-2027 academic planner featuring monthly and weekly spreads to help you plan school, work, and life.
- Built to Last – This student planner comes with a thick, sturdy cover and strong inner pages to withstand heavy use throughout the year. Perfect for tossing in backpacks or using daily at home, school, or the office.
- Smartly Organized Pages – Includes dedicated spaces to log important dates and recurring weekly schedules, making it easy to stay organized and ahead of deadlines. Ideal for students, teachers, and busy professionals alike.
- Fun & Functional Extras – Includes 2 sticker sheets to help you mark vacations, deadlines, finals, and study sessions. Motivational slogans and colorful icons add a fun touch to your planning routine.
- A Planner You’ll Actually Use – No fluff, no clutter – just an easy-to-use, attractive, and durable tool that makes your day-to-day simpler and more productive. Designed by Sweetzer & Orange for real-life scheduling.
How to apply and get help
- Check your school’s determination of whether you are enrolled at least half-time, then compare your circumstances with the student definition and exemption routes above.
- Gather relevant proof, such as work-hour records, a work-study award, information about child-care circumstances, CalWORKs status, or program enrollment. Ask your county which documents it accepts.
- Apply through BenefitsCal or contact your county social services office. Applying allows the county to assess your full household circumstances.
- For assistance, call the CalFresh Benefits Helpline at 1-877-847-3663. CDSS also provides a student handbook and eligibility decision-tree resources.
Campus support through Fresh Success
Fresh Success is a voluntary CalFresh Employment and Training program that CDSS describes as operating in Sacramento, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa counties. In participating community-college programs, students taking at least one specified vocational training, adult basic education, GED, ESL, or work-experience course may be eligible. Providers offer case management and community referrals; listed reimbursements include transportation and required textbooks. It is a limited program for eligible CalFresh recipients, not an automatic student exemption or a statewide guarantee. Ask your campus or local provider whether it participates. See CDSS Fresh Success information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Easily Stay on Top Of Things: Tackle it all with ease - less stress, more fun! The student planner 2026-2027 is here to streamline the organization of monthly & weekly goals, tasks, lessons, homework & exams. Easily stay on track with calendars, notes sections & more
- Boost Organizational Skills & Productivity: ZICOTO’s school planner is your powerful tool to manage your time wisely, getting all work done, while also honing your organizational skills, learning how to prioritize effectively and finally free up some of your time
- Enjoy Practical Features & Resource Pages: The perfect student planner for middle and high school years! Each month, there is a dedicated page for notes, to do’s & appointments. Clever: the planner even includes study tips and basics for math, science & co.
- Super Cool Composition Book Design: How awesome is that? The homework planner sports a trendy composition book style cover with cool sporty icons like sneakers, skateboards, footballs, game controllers and lightning bolts – a fun design that will make any student want to stay organized!
- Sturdy & Perfect Size: Super cool with a soft feel, robust cover, sturdy spiral binding and ideal size of 8.5x6.1", the student planner for high & middle school is truly made for everyday use, fitting neatly into any bag
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