Free and Reduced Status

1. If you qualified for free or reduced status last year, your status will expire on September 12th. You will need to reapply every year.

2. It is important that ALL families fill out the online form because you may qualify and not even know! You do not have to utilize this status if you qualify but you can support your school receiving additional funding by applying.

3. If you qualify for SNAP or Medicaid, you must submit that letter to your school. We do not have access to see your status!

4. Fees should be paid so that your school can utilize them for supplies, field trips, and more. Your school may be contacting you this week as a friendly reminder to pay your fees before October 1st.

Did you know the Free and Reduced Meal application covers so much more than just lunch?

Discounted School Fees: Your student could qualify for reduced or waived student fees for field trips, school supplies, class fees, athletic participation, fees associated with academic testing and transportation fees.

Home Internet Access: Both Comcast and T-Mobile offer free home internet or hot spots with qualified applications.

Additional Funding For Your School: It is important to apply so that your school could receive or continue to receive additional funding for personnel, technology, tutoring, and family resources. This funding is based on the number of students that qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch in our school! It is important for ALL families to fill out the waiver because you never know if you may qualify.

APPLY TODAY at https://payschoolscentral.com/

Instructions:

• Log in/Create Account (You will need your child's student ID Number)

• On the right side menu, click Free/Reduced Benefits Application

• Fill in your contact information then click New Application

• If your student is not listed, click Add Students

• If you see your student(s) or once your student is added, click Start Application

• You will need to know if any members of your household get any kind of assistance and know their income.

• Be sure to check the box to include Transportation and for School Fees

• Email yourself a copy for your records!

Schools can qualify for additional Title I funding from the federal government based on the number of students/families who qualify for free or reduced benefits. 5 of the 6 schools in our Zone are Title I schools and receive additional funding to support additional personnel and program funding. These funds are essentially "free" money as they are federal funds that do not come from local or state resources - if our schools do not access these funds to maximum potential they will go to other schools that do. Currently elementary schools qualify for Title finds when the percentage of families qualifying for free or reduced benefits reaches 40% at the elementary level and middle schools 50%. Not only does qualifying for free or reduced benefits help our families by reducing or eliminating all fees but the school receives funds to further support all students. Even if you do not intend to utilize free/reduced benefits, families who qualify positively impact school funding.

We appreciate you taking the time to access the benefits of this program for you and your family and also for supporting additional funding for our schools.