Educational Benefits

Yes, one breakfast and one lunch per day will be free to all students.

All other benefits provided through the Educational Benefits Program are NOT included in this legislation. Filling out the form helps our district receive important funding that is not directly related to student meals.

No. Milk alone is not provided for free even though a student qualifies for meal benefits. However, milk alone can be purchased at all schools.

Yes. All families in the district are asked to complete the educational benefits application, regardless of income or eligibility. Applications for Educational Benefits are approved annually. New applications for each year are available on this webpage at the end of July.

• If your family was approved last school year, you will need to reapply for the current school year.
• NOTE: If at any time during the school year your family income status changes (e.g. laid-off, furlough, government shutdown, seasonal work) you are encouraged to complete an application for educational benefits. Once approved, they are in place for the remainder of the school year, regardless of income status.  

Completing or opting out of an application is easy and confidential. Choose one of four easy ways to apply or opt out: 

• Apply or Opt Out online at www.schoolcafe.com; or
• Download and print a paper application (below) to complete or opt out and then submit to your school; or
• Pick-up a paper application at your student’s school; or
• Call our nutrition services office to complete your application over the phone (contact information on top of page)

You can download the following paper applications:

• Applications for Educational Benefits
• Solicitud de Beneficios Educativos 

You may also pick up a copy at any school office, the District Office or during open house/orientation days. Completed forms can be mailed to: 104 5th Avenue So., So. St. Paul, MN 55075 or fax to the Nutrition Services office at (651) 457-9485. 

When filling out the application for Educational Benefits please carefully fill in all of the information requested, including the last 4 digits of the Social Security number or check the box for no social security number.  List all students and other members in the household.   Include all income information, if the income is zero please state that on the form. This information will not be shared with any other organizations. 

If you are opting out please include your students names on the application, print your name clearly and sign the application.

Spanish, Hmong, and Somali applications are available on School Cafe or in-person by request.

We ask that you choose to opt out either on a paper application or online at schoolcafe.com.

Yes, foster children who are the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for Educational Benefits regardless of household income. Please complete an application identifying the children who are in foster care.

Students of those families who qualify for educational benefits also receive financial assistance for participation in activities and athletics. Your approval letter can also qualify for household discounts on some services and activities throughout the state of Minnesota as noted below.

Notification of eligibility will be verified within 10 days of district receipt of application. Questions about the application can be directed to the district’s Nutrition Services Department.

• Once you apply, your household’s benefits last for the entire school year.
  You may be randomly selected to verify the income information on the application.
• Benefits will carry over 30 days into the following school year as a buffer.
• You MUST REAPPLY every school year to receive educational benefits.

 
REMINDER: You may apply/reapply for benefits at any point during the school year due to change in income/employment or household size (death, divorce, birth, adoption, student moves out, etc).

Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for Educational Benefits. Please fill out an Educational Benefits application linked above.