2025–2026 Public Release for School Meal Benefit Eligibility
July 11, 2025 - Columbia Public Schools announced its 2025–2026 free and reduced-price policy for schoolchildren unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
Children from households with incomes at or below the federal income guidelines may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Applications can be completed online through MySchoolApps. All information provided is confidential and used only to determine eligibility.
Application Requirements
A complete application includes:
- Total household income from all sources, or a valid Food Stamp or TANF case number
- Names of all household members
- Signature of an adult household member and the last four digits of their Social Security number, or an indication that they do not have one
District officials may verify any part of the application, including income, at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year.
Additional Eligibility Categories
- Foster children may qualify for free meals regardless of household income.
- Children enrolled in Head Start may qualify.
- Children identified as homeless, migrant, or runaway should contact the district homeless liaison for assistance.
- Families participating in the WIC program may also qualify.
Automatically Eligible Programs
Children in households receiving the following benefits are automatically eligible for free meals:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF
- Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, FDPIR
To apply under these programs, families must include:
- Names of eligible children
- SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR case number
- Signature of an adult household member
If the district becomes aware that a child qualifies through these programs, the household will be notified automatically.
Changes in Household Circumstances
If a family member becomes unemployed or the household size changes, the family should submit a new application. These changes may affect eligibility for meal benefits.
Income Eligibility Guidelines
Household Size
Free Meals Annual
Free Monthly
Free Weekly
Reduced Annual
Reduced Monthly
Reduced Weekly
1
$20,345
$1,696
$392
$28,953
$2,413
$557
2
$27,495
$2,292
$529
$39,128
$3,261
$753
3
$34,645
$2,888
$667
$49,303
$4,109
$949
4
$41,795
$3,483
$804
$59,478
$4,957
$1,144
5
$48,945
$4,079
$942
$69,653
$5,805
$1,340
6
$56,095
$4,675
$1,079
$79,828
$6,653
$1,536
7
$63,245
$5,271
$1,217
$90,003
$7,501
$1,731
8
$70,395
$5,867
$1,354
$100,178
$8,349
$1,927
Each Additional Member
+ $7,150
+ $596
+ $138
+ $10,175
+ $848
+ $196
Application Review and Appeals
Eligibility is determined based on federal income guidelines by a Determining Official. If you disagree with the eligibility decision, you may request an informal discussion or a formal hearing with a Hearing Official. Information on hearing procedures is available in the district’s policy on file with the Nutrition Services department.
