Getting Meal Benefits                                                   

If you wish to apply for free or reduced price meals for your student(s), a new application must be completed each school year.

Where can I get an Application for Educational Benefits form?  Applications are mailed out the second week in August to all households in the district.  You can complete the for ONLINE by clicking  HERE.  Paper applications are also available at all the schools in the front office.

Who can get free or reduced-price meals? Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster children can get free school meals without reporting household income. Also, children can get free or reduced-price school meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for their household size on the instructions. Approval for school meal benefits is good for the school year.

Do foster children qualify for free meals? Yes, foster children who are the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals regardless of household income.

I get WIC/SNAP. Can my children get free meals? Children in households participating in WIC/SNAP may be eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Please fill out an application. 

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.

Who should I include as members of my household? 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.

What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.

How will the information I provide be kept? Information you provide on the form, and your child's approval for school meal benefits, will be protected as private data. See the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits for more information about how the information is used.

Will the information I give be checked? Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.

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.

What if my information changes in the middle of the school year?  You may apply for educational benefits at any time during the school year.

What is the difference between a free and reduced lunch?  If your family qualifies for "Free" lunch your student will receive a free breakfast and lunch daily.  If your family qualifies for a "Reduced" lunches your student will receive a free breakfast and a lunch is $.40.

Please call our Nutrition Service office if you have any questions at #651-621-6024.