Educational Benefits

Yes, beginning on July 1, 2023, 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 with this recent legislation.

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 in the 2022-23 school year, you will need to reapply to ensure no disruption of meal benefits for the 2023-24 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 at (651) 457-9456 to complete your application over the phone

You can download the following paper applications:

• 2022-23 Applications for Educational Benefits
• Solicitud de Beneficios Educativos - Año escolar 2023-24

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. 

All information, including the last four digits of your social security number or check the box that there is no social security number, your address and telephone number MUST be on the form. If your form is not complete, your application will be mailed back to you. You are responsible for the balance in your students account as your student is full paid until your application has been processed and qualified.

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

We ask that you choose to opt out of the application 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 at (651) 457-9456.

• 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.