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Apply Now for Educational Benefits to Support Schools and Students
Breakfast and lunch are still free for students. However, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) asks families to fill out the Application for Educational Benefits from their student's school. By doing so, students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals may also get other benefits like help with summer food, lower costs for internet, transportation, extracurricular activities, and child care.
Fill out the application for educational benefits
The Application for Educational Benefits determines the amount of federal and state funding a school will receive in connection to these programs. Additional federal meal reimbursement is available to schools/districts that meet severe need criteria based on free and reduced-price meal eligibility. Free and reduced-price meal data is also used to determine a school’s eligibility for additional federal nutrition programs.
The income guidelines are also used to determine free and reduced price meal eligibility at child and adult care programs. The USDA income guidelines for free and reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program are effective from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Download the public notice. Federal regulations for these programs require the notice to be provided to local media so that, when possible, it may be printed as a public service to readers.
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact MDE – Nutrition Program Services at (651) 582-8526, 1-800-366-8922 (Minnesota Toll-free) or mde.fns@state.mn.us.
MDE requests the public notice be posted in the appropriate section of the printed or electronic material.