To apply for free or reduced-price school meals and help our school qualify for additional education funds and discounts, please complete the Application for Educational Benefits and return to the District Service Center. In addition, by signing the application, if you live two miles or less from your student’s school, the District is authorized to utilize the information included in the application to evaluate your eligibility for free student transportation. If eligible for free or reduced-price school meals you are also eligible for free bus transportation.

Our schools provide healthy meals each day. Lunch costs $2.40 for elementary, $2.55 for middle, and $2.75 for secondary. Children may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals. Reduced price for lunch is $.40.

1. Who can get free or reduced price meals?
   Children in households participating in Food Stamps, Minnesota Family Investment Plan (MFIP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and most foster children can get free meals regardless of your income. Also, your children can get free or reduced-price meals if your household income is within the income shown for your household size on the chart included in the instructions for completing the application. An Application for Educational Benefits cannot be approved if any required information is missing.
   
2. I get WIC. Can my children get free meals?
   Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an Application for Educational Benefits.
   
3. Should I fill out an application if I got a letter this school year saying my children were directly certified for free meals based on data from the MN Department of Human Services?
   Do not fill out an Application for Educational Benefits if all of your children have been directly certified for free school meals. If only some of your children were directly certified, you can fill out an Application for Educational Benefits to apply for your children who were not directly certified.
   
4. Will the information I give be checked?
   Yes, we may ask you to send written proof.
   
5. If I don’t qualify now, may I apply later?
   Yes. You may apply at any time during the school year if your income goes down, household size goes up, or if you start getting Food Stamps, MFIP, or FDPIR benefits.
   
6. What if I disagree with the school’s decision about my application?
   You should talk to school officials. You also may ask for a hearing.
   
7. May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
   Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for your children to qualify for free or reduced price meals.
   
8. Who should I include as members of my household?
   You must include yourself and all other people living in the household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends). Include a household member who is temporarily away such as a college student.
   
9. What if my income is not always the same?
   List the amount that you normally get. For example, if you normally get $1000 each month, but you missed some work last month and only got $900, put down that you get $1000 per month. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.
   
10. How will the information I provide be kept?
    Information you provide about your household income or public assistance will be protected as private data. Your child’s approval for free or reduced-price meals is also private data. The back page of the Application for Educational Benefits has details about data privacy.

If you have other questions or need help, call the Food Services Department at 952-401-5048.